As Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani approach their tenth anniversary, the country music superstar reflects on their enduring love in a new interview with People. "It honestly does [feel like time is flying by]. It's like, how did this happen so quickly?" says Shelton, 48. He admits that "10 years is a long time," but affectionately says that the relationship "still feels new for me." "I feel like that might be the key to happiness, is that it feels just as exciting and new and happy," Shelton says. In addition to their successful marriage, Shelton collaborated with his pop superstar wife on his new single, “Hangin’ On,” which is featured on his current record, For Recreational Use Only, which was just released on Friday, May 9. The couple even saved one track they worked on in that recording session for a possible future release. "We were both so fired up about both of them that we ended up holding one back for the next project," Shelton revealed. (People)

On Thursday (May 8), Lorde announced the dates and details of her 2025 Ultrasound World Tour in support of her fourth studio album, Virgin, set to be released on June 27. The North American leg of the arena tour kicks off on September 17 in Austin, and concludes on October 22 in Seattle, while stopping in Chicago, Nashville, Toronto, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Portland, and more. The tour will feature special guests Japanese House, Blood Orange, Nilüfer Yanya, Chanel Beads, Empress Of, Jim-E Stack (who produced Virgin), and Oklou on select dates. “Every show I play is a collaboration between you and me,” Lorde said in her tour announcement. “We meet in a room and we make music together, our bodies and the machines in search of something bigger together. 12 years of meeting up and making sound that's just for us. Since last time I've been stripping away unnecessary layers, finding us more room to move. I think that Ultrasound could be our masterpiece.” Ticket presale starts on Wednesday (May 14), with general on-sale starting on Friday (May 16). (Rolling Stone)

Calum Hood is gearing up to release his debut solo album, Order Chaos Order, on June 13, and the 5 Seconds of Summer bassist just shared his latest single, “Call Me When You Know Better,” on Thursday (May 8) alongside a music video directed by Andy DeLuca. The vulnerability of Hood’s new track compliments the emotional sentiments of his previously released single, “Don’t Forget You Love Me,” which will both be featured on his new project. “‘Call Me When You Know Better’ is a love letter in the form of an apology,” Hood shared in a statement. “For maybe not being the best lover or friend to the people who mean the most to me. It’s a reflection on mistakes made, perpetual regret and self pity.” Hood becomes the last 5SOS member to release a solo album, following in the footsteps of his bandmates Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, and Luke Hemmings, who each released solo projects in recent years. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (May 7), Universal Music Group filed a motion to dismiss Drake's amended defamation lawsuit regarding Kendrick Lamar's song, "Not Like Us." The Canadian rapper is accusing UMG – his and Lamar's record label – of intentionally defaming him through their promotion of the track. UMG's lawyers claim that in the amended complaint, Drake “removed obviously false factual allegations” while adding that the “new allegations are astonishing.” The company claims that the lawsuit only serves as an attack on the commercial and creative success of Lamar’s chart-topping song, rather than addressing the content of the lyrics. In a separate statement, a UMG spokesperson said, “Drake’s lawyers believe that when Drake willingly participates in a performative rap-battle of music and poetry, he can be ‘defamed’ even though he engages in the exact same form of creative expression.” (Variety)

On Thursday (May 8), the full list of nominees were revealed for the 2025 BET Awards, with Kendrick Lamar leading the field with 10 total nods. Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla all received six nominations, with SZA and The Weeknd each receiving four nods. The BET Awards is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the ceremony will feature Lamar competing in categories like Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” Viewer’s Choice Award nominations for “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” featuring SZA, and “Like That” with Future & Metro Boomin, and Best Male Hip Hop Artist. Rising star Doechii – who won Best Rap Album at the recent Grammy Awards – is up for Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award for “Denial is a River,” and Best Female Hip Hop Artist. The BET Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9, and will be hosted by Kevin Hart for the second time. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (May 7), Fitz and the Tantrums shared the funky title track to their upcoming album, Man on the Moon, which is set for release on July 25 via Atlantic Records. Following a short run of previously announced southern shows in May, the Los Angeles indie pop band will embark on a 31-date Man On The Moon Tour, which kicks off July 24 in San Diego, and finishes up with an ACL Live show in Austin on August 31. “I decided I was simply going to write for my heart and for my soul and nobody else,” frontman Fitz Fitzpatrick said of the group’s 14-track album. “At this point in our career, myself and the band feel we have complete creative license. So I’m not going to chase some vapor in the wind. I’m going to just do what I want.” Special guest opening acts on select dates of the tour will be Aloe Blacc, Neal Francis, Gable Price and Friends, Ax and the Hatchetmen, and Snacktime. (Rolling Stone)

The title-track of SZA’s chart-topping album, SOS, incorporates lyrics and the melody of Beyoncé’s song, "Listen," from 2006's Dreamgirls soundtrack. With a comment on a recent Instagram post, SZA revealed that she still owes Bey money for the interpolation, but the 35-time Grammy winner has yet to ask her to pay up. The original social media post made light of the extensive number of co-writers that are routinely credited on Beyoncé's songs, with SZA responding in the comments, “I literally owe her half my publishing off interpolation alone on SOS and she never pressed me lmao a generous QUEEN 😭.”  SZA, who is currently on the road with Kendrick Lamar on their joint Grand National Tour, is a self-proclaimed Beyoncé fan, praising her in a 2024 interview, "I just admire her. She's a masterclass on poise, grace, artistry, beauty and kindness." (People)

Former One Direction singer Liam Payne died without a will, leaving Cheryl Tweedy, his former partner and mother of their son, Bear, to be named administrator of his $32 million estate, alongside music industry lawyer Richard Mark Bray. Tweedy – a former member of Girls Aloud – will work alongside Bray to oversee Payne's finances, property, and possessions, potentially putting much of it into a trust for their son. English and Welsh laws dictate that a person's spouse and children have first claim to the estate in the absence of a will. Payne tragically died on October 16, 2024 at the age of 31, following a fall from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. While the initial charges against the hotel workers and Payne’s friend have all been dropped, two individuals accused of selling him drugs remain detained while awaiting their pending trial. (Rolling Stone)

In a phone call with The Daily Mail on Wednesday (May 7), Smokey Robinson responded to allegations of sexual assault made by multiple former employees in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday (May 6). The four Jane Does are accusing him of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and creating a hostile work environment. The complaint detailed disturbing incidents of forced sexual acts spanning nearly two decades. "I am appalled," Robinson said of the charges, while adding, "I can't speak about this right now." Robinson's wife, Frances, was also implicated for allegedly enabling his behavior, and failing “to take the appropriate corrective action” to prevent his “deviant misconduct.” The plaintiffs, all former housekeepers of the 85-year-old Motown star, are also accusing the couple of failing to pay minimum wage and overtime, and are seeking damages of at least $50 million for the alleged misconduct. (People)

In a new ELLE digital cover story, Kelsea Ballerini is advocating for inclusivity in country music. The 31-year-old singer expressed support for artists transitioning into the genre – like Beyoncé, Post Malone, and Lana Del Rey – while also stressing the importance of embracing diversity. "If we, as country artists, feel like we can have a collab on top 40 or have a collab with an R&B artist, why wouldn’t we give a welcome to someone else?" Ballerini said. "I think that’s where people who are pushing back really need to check themselves, because music is for everybody. And specifically country music, the marquee of it is it’s the people’s story.” Ballerini also reflected on the rewarding experience of headlining her first ever arena tour. “I really like to be inclusive and I feel like I have songs truly for everyone," said Ballerini, who ensures "that the boyfriends and husbands that have been dragged there unwillingly by their girls also feel welcome, because they are." (People)

On Tuesday (May 6), Yungblud took to Instagram to reveal that his new album, Idols, will be released on June 20 as a part of a planned double LP. According to Dominic Harrison, who performs under the Yungblud moniker, his fourth album is “a love letter to self-reclamation … to rock music … [and] to life in all it’s f–king madness.” The 12-track project was recorded in Leeds, near the singer’s hometown of Doncaster, England, and it features previously released singles, "Hello Heaven, Hello" and "Lovesick Lullaby." The album was produced by Yungblud’s frequent collaborator Matt Schwartz, along with Bob Bradley, and touring guitarist Adam Warrington, and marks his first release under Island Records (U.K.) and Capitol Records (U.S.) after leaving Geffen/Interscope. Yungblud's previous albums, Weird! and Yungblud, both hit No. 1 on the U.K. Charts, with his self-titled release reaching a career high peak of No. 45 on the Billboard 200 album chart. (Billboard)

On Sunday (May 4), Quavo's Rocket Foundation hosted a Mother’s Day brunch for moms who have lost children to gun violence. The Migos frontman was joined by his mother, along with the event’s co-hosts – TakeOff's mother and grandmother – who all honored the late Migos rapper who was killed in a shooting in 2022. The event aimed to provide healing and support to the community, featuring panel discussions with anti-violence groups, floral arrangements provided by Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, and memorials and photos paying tribute to the lives lost. This was the fourth event of its kind hosted by the Rocket Foundation in Atlanta, which aims to meet with members of congress this summer. In addition to taking part in this event, Quavo also just released a posthumous collaboration with TakeOff, “Dope By Phone,” on May 2. (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on an episode of Ann Wilson's After Dinner Thinks podcast, Chappell Roan praised the Heart singer, while reminiscing about the power she felt covering their classic hit,"Barracuda," at the Austin City Limits festival in 2024. “You’re rockin’ mama! I’m rockin’ because you rockin’, really, truly,” Roan praised Wilson. “I think you have the best voice in rock.” Roan and fellow guest Lucy Dacus discussed the transformative power of rock music with Wilson, while contrasting that electric energy with pop. Roan went on to proclaim that “Barracuda” is the “coolest song ever,” while admitting that performing the track live made her “feel like a rock star.” Wilson went on to share her approach to singing the rock anthem with the young musicians, saying,  “A song like that… you can’t hold it in. It has to be an independence of the soul where you just let it go. This is a physical event.” (Billboard)

On Tuesday (May 6), the lineup was revealed for the 2025 Austin City Limits Festival, which will showcase a diverse set of headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, and The Strokes. ACL will take place across two weekends in Austin’s Zilker Park from Oct. 3-5 and 10-12, with performances spread out over nine stages. In addition to the headliners, the festival will also feature appearances from Cage the Elephant, T-Pain, Empire of the Sun, DJO, Pierce the Veil, Rilo Kiley, Maren Morris, Mk.gee, Zeds Dead, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Modest Mouse, Wet Leg, King Princess, and many more. The event is once again set to stream on Hulu, which will air select live performances and interviews during the first weekend, with a full broadcast schedule to be announced later in the summer. A variety of three-day ticket packages went on sale on Tuesday (May 6), with single-day tickets available at a later date. (Billboard)

Beyoncé has removed a visual of the Sphere from her Cowboy Carter Tour after receiving a cease-and-desist order from the venue’s owner. An image of the Sphere was included in the show’s “400 Foot Cowboy” visual interlude where the towering singer picked up the venue from the Las Vegas strip. During Sunday night’s show (May 4) in Inglewood, the image was appropriately replaced with footage of Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium, where Beyoncé is set to perform in July during her Cowboy Carter Tour. Following the show, Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, shared the new clip on Instagram, captioning the post, “What happens in Vegas starts with a BANG.” The cease-and-desist letter was reportedly issued by Sphere Entertainment Group, who claimed that the footage of the state-of-the-art venue was used “without permission,” and misled fans by prompting speculation of a potential Sphere residency for Beyoncé. (Rolling Stone)

Jury selection began on Monday (May 5) for the sex trafficking and racketeering trial of hip-hop mogul Sean Combs. Both the defense team and prosecutors questioned potential jurors about their views on wealthy individuals and Combs' self-professed "swinger" lifestyle. The jury selection process – which involves whittling down 150 prospective jurors into a final pool of 12 men and women and six alternates – is expected to last three days, with opening statements set to begin next week. The trial itself is expected to last at least eight weeks, with Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, facing five felony counts and up to 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

The heart of the case alleges that Combs used his billion-dollar business as a "criminal enterprise" for sexual gratification, including the alleged sex trafficking of two former girlfriends. The defense – who already rejected a plea deal – will portray the alleged sexual encounters as consensual and part of Combs' alternative lifestyle. One of the key witnesses against Combs will include his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who was allegedly sex trafficked between 2008 and 2018, with a 2016 surveillance video surfacing last year of Combs violently assaulting Ventura in a California hotel. (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (May 5), Benson Boone announced the dates and details of his 2025 American Heart North American Tour. The 30-date trek is in support of the pop superstar’s upcoming album, American Heart, which is due out on June 20. Boone’s arena tour gets underway on August 22 in St. Paul, Minnesota, before stopping in major music markets across the U.S. and Canada, including high-profile shows at Madison Square Garden in New York and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, eventually finishing up on October 8 in Salt Lake City. General ticket sales start on May 9, with a fan presale launching on May 8. Boone recently made his debut on Saturday Night Live on May 3, showcasing his new American Heart singles, "Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else" and "Mystical Magical," which he also debuted at Coachella back in April. (Rolling Stone)

Bad Bunny has announced his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, where the Puerto Rican music superstar will headline stadiums throughout Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Japan. The 23-date trek is set to begin on November 21 in the Dominican Republic, and will conclude on July 22 in Brussels, while hitting major cities in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Italy along the way, including Bad Bunny’s first ever dates in Australia, Brazil, and Japan. According to a tour press release, these shows “will bring [Debí Tirar Más Fotos] to life, fully immersing audiences in its world, celebrating the essence and culture of Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican heritage.” Before embarking on his expansive global tour, Bad Bunny is set to perform a historic 30-date homecoming residency at El Choli in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Benito is set to draw an estimated 250,000 fans during those summer shows. Tickets for the world tour go on sale on Friday, May 9. (Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for an 11th consecutive week. The track matches Puff Daddy and Faith Evans’ 1997 chart-topper, “I’ll Be Missing You” (featuring 112), for the most weeks spent at No. 1 among duets by co-billed lead solo men and women. Other notable moves in this week’s Hot 100 Top 10 include Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” rising a spot to claim a new career high of No. 2, while Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” remains at No. 5 – notching its 43rd week in the Top Five, matching The Weeknd’s 2020-21 run with “Blinding Lights” for the most total weeks spent in the top tier all-time – while Doechii’s “Anxiety” returns to the region by matching its previous peak of No. 10. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” drops one spot to No. 3, Drake’s “Nokia” remains at No. 4, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” stays at No. 6, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” jumps up two spots to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” drops one spot to No. 8, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” moves up a slot to No. 9. (Billboard) 

In a new interview with Variety, Blackpink's Lisa confirmed that a new album from the K-pop girl group is on the horizon. “We were in the studio a few days ago,” Lisa told the outlet on Saturday (May 3). “We’re all so super excited to get back together and go on tour.” Blackpink’s upcoming world tour kicks off with a two-night stint in Seoul, South Korea beginning on July 5, then heads to North America for a series of shows in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and New York throughout July, before heading to Europe and the UK. While a specific release date for Blackpink’s third studio album has not been revealed, Lisa assured fans it is on the way. “You have to be patient about it,” Lisa said. “It’s coming soon, I promise. It’s about time.” In additional Lisa news, the singer has collaborated with Maroon 5 on their new single "Priceless," which is taken from their upcoming eighth studio album. The track is accompanied by a cinematic music video directed by Aerin Moreno, which features frontman Adam Levine and Lisa acting out a Mr. & Mrs. Smith-themed clip. (Variety)

Ghost reaches the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in their career, as the Swedish hard rock band’s new record, Skeletá, debuts at No. 1 this week. Skeletá is the first hard rock album to lead the Billboard 200 in over four years (since AC/DC’s Power Up in 2020), and marks the ninth time the group has charted on the Billboard 200, reaching a previous high of No. 2 with 2022’s Impera. Ghost claims the biggest week of 2025 for any rock, hard rock, or alternative album, while the vinyl sales of over 44,000 represent the biggest week for a hard rock album on vinyl in the modern era (since 1991).

The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS dropping one slot to No. 2, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX falls a spot to No. 3, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time slides down one place to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet drops a spot to No. 5, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U falls one slot to No. 6, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos slides a spot to No. 7, Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going vaults up 37 places to No. 8 following a deluxe reissue on April 25, Playboi Carti’s MUSIC falls two spots to No. 9, and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album drops a slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

The owner of the Sphere has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Beyoncé regarding footage of the singer picking up a version of the iconic Las Vegas venue that is shown during her current Cowboy Carter Tour. “Beyoncé — many orders of magnitude larger than the Sphere venue — leans over, picks up the venue, and looms over it,” the letter reads, which has led to “significant speculation that Beyoncé will end her tour with a Sphere residency.” The letter alleges that the footage – which is featured in an interlude for Beyoncé's show – is unauthorized and used “without permission,” and has upset Sphere Entertainment Group's CEO, James Dolan, who has tried to book the 35-time Grammy winner at his venue. Despite those past negotiations, Beyoncé will instead bring her Cowboy Carter Tour to Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on July 25-26. Beyoncé launched her highly-anticipated tour in Los Angeles on Monday, April 28. (Rolling Stone)

On Sunday (May 4), Julien Baker and Torres announced that they have canceled all remaining dates on their 'Send A Prayer My Way' tour. “Due to recent events, Julien Baker is prioritizing her well-being and taking time to focus on her health,” reads a statement on Baker’s Instagram. “Therefore, the Julien Baker & Torres ‘Send A Prayer My Way’ Tour has been canceled. This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment this may cause for fans. We deeply appreciate your understanding.” The joint tour had previously kicked off on April 23 in Richmond, Virginia, and was set to run through September 13, featuring a series of high-profile festival appearances including Utah’s Kilby Block Party, Oregon’s Pickathon, the Newport Folk Festival, San Francisco’s Outside Lands, Milwaukee’s Summerfest, and Louisville’s Bourbon and Beyond Fest. The duo’s last performance was a sold-out show on Thursday (May 1) at Tipitinasas in New Orleans. Refunds for all cancelled shows will be issued by the ticket companies. (Rolling Stone)

Jill Sobule, the pioneering singer-songwriter behind the 1995 hit, "I Kissed a Girl," tragically passed away at 66 in a house fire in Minneapolis. The news of her death was confirmed by her representative to Variety. Known for her groundbreaking music and advocacy for human rights, Sobule's song "I Kissed a Girl" is recognized as the first openly lesbian pop song to reach the Billboard Top 20, setting the stage for visible LGBTQ+ representation within the music industry.

Her untimely death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fellow artists and activists, including her frequent collaborator, Sarah Thyre, who wrote on Instagram, “This one hits hard. Jill Sobule was an amazing, generous artist. She ALWAYS showed up and showed out.” Recent tourmates The Fixx also paid tribute to Sobule, writing on Facebook: "We are absolutely devastated and shocked to hear the news of Jill Sobule's untimely passing. Jill just finished a tour with us days ago...and was so full of life and talent. Our hearts are broken. We will always miss her."

In addition to her notable other work, Sobule's popular track, "Supermodel" was featured prominently on the Clueless movie soundtrack, adding to the groundbreaking musician’s lasting legacy. (People)

During a recent Instagram Live session, Cardi B expressed her frustration over the delays surrounding her long-awaited new album. The Grammy winner sympathized with her impatient fans who have been waiting years for the follow-up to Cardi’s chart-topping 2018 debut record, Invasion of Privacy, with the New York rapper blaming the delay on unfinished contributions from the album’s special guests. “I really need these fu**ing features,” Cardi said. “I’m not really trying to press or go crazy on these artists because I love them down. But it’s like come on now, I need that. I need that right now. Y’all don’t want to miss this opportunity.” While the highly-anticipated album doesn’t have an official release date or title, Cardi remains confident that the project will be worth the wait, even if she has to finish it on her own. “I’ll sing this sh*t myself,” Cardi said. “But I really need y’all to hurry up and I love y’all. I feel like nobody want to miss being on this album.” (Rolling Stone)

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are set to release a deluxe edition of their collaborative album, I Said I Love You First, on May 2. The expanded version – titled I Said I Love You First…And You Said It Back –  will include guest appearances by GloRilla, Cigarettes After Sex, and DJ Sliink, though what tracks they will be featured on have not yet been revealed. “There are some new songs, some favorites you might recognize, and reimagined songs from the original album,” Gomez wrote on Instagram on Wednesday (April 30). “Can’t wait for you to hear them! Thank you to @glorillapimp, @cigsaftersex, @djsliink and of course, benny 🖤.” In addition to the deluxe album announcement, Gomez also shared exciting news about another new project on the way. “Oh, and don’t forget to pick out your prom outfit…Talk video out tomorrow night at 9pm PT!!,” she added. Gomez and Blanco recently went on a “Prom Date” together, with the engaged couple taking a stretch limo to the mall to take some adorable prom photos together. (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (May 1), Ed Sheeran revealed details about his upcoming eighth album, Play, a 13-track record that is set to be released on September 12 through Gingerbread Records/Atlantic Records. Along with the album announcement, Sheeran also dropped his new single, "Old Phone," a nostalgic track co-produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh and Blake Slatkin. In an Instagram post announcing his new album and single, Sheeran shared some insight into the making of his new record, which he calls “a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish.” “Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,” he shared. “Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. I made this record all over the world, finished it in Goa, India, and had some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life.” (Variety)

In a new interview with BBC Radio 1, Lorde credits Charli XCX's recent album, Brat, for inspiring her to elevate her own creativity on her upcoming record, Virgin, which is due out on June 27. “Brat coming out really gave me a kick in a lot of ways,” Lorde admitted. “It forced me to further define what I was doing, because Charli had so masterfully defined everything about Brat, and I knew that what I was doing was very distinct to that. It’s an amazing thing when a peer throws the gauntlet down like that, you’re like, ‘OK, I’ve got to pick it up.’” Lorde also acknowledged the impact the duo’s collaboration on the remix of "Girl, So Confusing" had on her approach to her unguarded new material. “Doing the remix together and meeting her in that place of rugged vulnerability and kind of cracking open the thing …,” she added. “[When] people responded really well to that, I was like, ‘OK, cool, this is a good thing to be doing.'” (Billboard)

In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not just in the studio throwing in a lyric — they play,” Crow said. “If you want to take a course in great songwriting, go study at the college of Taylor Swift. There’s Brandi [Carlile] and Courtney Barnett. For a long time, there was a dearth of women who were playing and singing and rocking, and now I’m tickled.” Crow also was inspired by being around so many incredible women during Ringo Starr’s recent country album celebration at Ryman Auditorium. Crow was blown away “being onstage with Molly Tuttle, Sarah Jarosz, and Larkin Poe. I remember having a conversation with people on the Grammys board 15 years ago, saying, ’What are you guys going to do to get instruments into young women’s hands?’ Lo and behold, some of the greatest musicianship right now is young and female.” (Variety)

Charli XCX is teaming up with Japanese horror director Takashi Miike for an as-yet-untitled film, the second under her new Studio365 banner. While the plot is currently unknown, the collaboration with Miike hints at a possible horror-themed film, given his reputation for violent works like 1999’s Audition and 2001’s Ichi the Killer. Charli has been busy juggling music and acting as of late, producing and starring in director Aidan Zamiri’s upcoming A24 film, The Moment, which is based on an original idea from the Grammy-winning pop superstar. Charli is also set to appear in the upcoming movie projects 100 Nights of Hero, I Want Your Sex, and Erupcja. In addition to her acting roles, Charli will finish her Brat U.S. Arena Tour with a three-night stand in Brooklyn on May 1-4, and is slated to perform at several high-profile music festivals this summer, including Primavera Sound Porto and Lido Festival. (Variety)

On Wednesday (April 30) Lorde revealed details of her highly-anticipated fourth album, Virgin, which is set to be released on June 27. The Grammy-winning pop superstar co-produced the record – her first since 2021’s Solar Power – along with Jim-E Stack, and the project features collaborations with Dev Hynes, Daniel Nigro, Fabiana Palladino, Andrew Aged, and Buddy Ross. The album cover features an x-ray image of a pelvis with a visible belt buckle and IUD in a blue tint.

In an all-caps message Lorde sent out to fans, she shared personal insight into the album: “THE LANGUAGE IS PLAIN AND UNSENTIMENTAL. THE SOUNDS ARE THE SAME WHEREVER POSSIBLE. I WAS TRYING TO SEE MYSELF, ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A DOCUMENT THAT REFLECTED MY FEMININITY. I’M PROUD AND SCARED OF THIS ALBUM. THERE’S NOWHERE TO HIDE. I BELIEVE THAT PUTTING THE DEEPEST PARTS OF OURSELVES TO MUSIC IS WHAT SETS US FREE.” Lorde shared the album’s lead single, “What Was That,” last week, and it quickly rose to the top of Spotify’s U.S. chart, her first song to achieve that feat since "Royals" in 2012. Pre-orders are available on Lorde’s webstore. (Rolling Stone)

Barbra Streisand’s upcoming album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two, features duets with Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Sting, Hozier, Laufey, Sam Smith, Tim McGraw, Josh Groban, Seal, and a track featuring both Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande. The star-studded collection is set for release on June 27, and Streisand has just released the project’s first single, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” featuring Hozier. The album also includes the first ever collaboration between music icons Streisand and Dylan, who duet on the Thirties pop standard, “The Very Thought of You.” “I’ve always loved singing duets with gifted artists,” Streisand says in a statement. “They inspire me in unique and different ways. I hope that you’ll enjoy listening to our collaborations as much as I enjoyed recording with all of my wonderful partners.” The album was produced by Walter Afanasieff and Peter Asher, and recorded at the Streisand Scoring Stage in Culver City, California, and at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra. (Rolling Stone)

In his first major interview since undergoing emergency surgery to remove a glioblastoma tumor over a year ago, 72-year-old singer Michael Bolton spoke with People about his ongoing fight against brain cancer, expressing his determination to continue living fully and remaining hopeful. Following the tumor removal and subsequent radiation and chemotherapy treatments, MRIs show no return of the cancer. Bolton is managing the effects on his memory, speech, and mobility through golf, meditation, family time, exercise, vocal lessons, and voice therapy. “You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought,” Bolton said. “Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You’re really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that’s the way you find out what you’re made of.” Bolton is remaining resolute and choosing to focus on hope rather than his prognosis, while emphasizing the importance of making the most out of life and being a cheerleader for oneself in challenging situations. (People)

In a new interview with Variety for her Power of Women Nashville cover story, Kelsea Ballerini recalled the challenge of establishing her own identity separate from her idol, Taylor Swift, in order to make a mark in the music industry. She recalls an interaction with a record label executive who dismissed her early on by saying, “There’s already a Taylor Swift.” The country star now admits that “he was right,” while adding, “There weren’t a lot of young female singer-songwriter girls in country music to look up to. I had to grow into my own identity as an artist and a songwriter and learn to differentiate myself.” The Tennessee native released her debut EP in 2014, which earned the singer her first Billboard Hot 100 entry with “Love Me Like You Mean It,”, while even receiving recognition from her idol, with Swift tweeting in 2015, “Driving around with the @KelseaBallerini EP on repeat.. SO lovely:)” (Billboard) 

Neil Diamond will be honored with the Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award at the 39th Annual Carousel Ball in Denver on October 11, benefiting the Children's Diabetes Foundation. Diamond will become only the third recipient of the prestigious award, following Sidney Poitier in 2016, and Diane Warren in 2024. The 84-year-old singer has long been involved with the foundation and its fundraising efforts, showcasing his support by performing at various events over the years. “It’s been my absolute joy to have supported the Children’s Diabetes Foundation for so many wonderful years,” Diamond said in a statement. “Barbara Davis and her organization have done an immense amount of good helping kids, adults and their families facing a difficult diagnosis.” During his six-decade music career, the Grammy-winning Diamond has been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as being recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011 and receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2018. (Billboard)

On Tuesday night (April 29), Gracie Abrams paid homage to local legend Lorde by covering her poignant ballad, “Liability,” during the Auckland, New Zealand stop on her Secrets Of Us World Tour. Abrams made a departure from her usual surprise-song performances that are typically reserved for her own tracks, choosing instead to pay tribute to Lorde in her hometown. Abrams performed her rendition of “Liability” alone on the keys, as the entire stadium sang and swayed along to the emotional number. This isn’t the first time that Lorde has been honored by a fellow pop star this month, as Dua Lipa delivered a rendition of her breakout single, “Royals,” during her Radical Optimism Tour stop in Auckland a few weeks ago. In a recent interview with Billboard, Abrams said that Lorde “is just one of my favorite people to lean on period. It’s comforting that there are people like her that exist. Such a gift to be able to ask her questions.” (Rolling Stone)

Jack Black has made Billboard history with his 34-second Minecraft song, "Steve's Lava Chicken," which has broken the record for the shortest track to ever appear on the Hot 100 chart. The brief song features Black portraying the famous Minecraft character, Steve, singing passionately about cooking chicken with lava. “Steve’s Lava Chicken” debuted at No. 77 on this week’s Hot 100 chart, dethroning the previous shortest-song record holder, Kid Cudi’s 37-second interlude, “Beautiful Trip.” This notable achievement follows Black’s previous appearance on the singles chart with a song tied to a video game film adaptation, as his 2023 track, “Peaches,” from The Super Mario Bros. Movie reached No. 56 on the Hot 100. Warner Brothers is capitalizing on the meme-worthy nature of A Minecraft Movie by hosting "Block Party" screenings across North America, where they encourage fans to be as rambunctious as possible as they sing along and act out the notable clips in the film. (Consequence of Sound)

Ed Sheeran has launched a new Instagram account, @teddysoldphone, to promote his upcoming single, “Old Phone,” offering fans a nostalgic glimpse into unseen photos from his retired mobile phone from 2015. The account features unreleased content from early in the Grammy-winning singer’s career, including pictures – most notably with Taylor Swift and Harry Styles – texts, and lyric notes, ahead of the single's release at 11 a.m. ET Thursday (April 29). Sheeran was inspired to write the song after revisiting his old phone during a copyright lawsuit in 2024. “It felt like a time capsule, a time of life that I was in, and living at that time in 2015,” Sheeran wrote. “Turning it on really spun me out. I found myself scrolling messages and conversations with people who are no longer here. The whole experience was such an emotional journey.” "Old Phone" is the second single from Sheeran's forthcoming album, Play, with the pop superstar recently performing in a pop-up British pub called The Old Phone at Coachella, where he played the song live for the first time. (Billboard)

Beyoncé launched her Cowboy Carter Tour on Monday night (April 28) with a nearly three-hour performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The 35-time Grammy winner looked resplendent in an all-white outfit complete with cowboy hat, boots, and fringed jacket, with backup dancers dressed in similar attire. The 39-song set focused on Beyoncé’s 2024 Album of the Year, Cowboy Carter, and her 2022 chart-topper, Renaissance, along with deep cuts from throughout her prestigious career. “It feels so good to be on this stage. Thank you to my fans for allowing me to make this album, for the creative liberty to make this album,” Beyoncé said in reference to her country-flavored record.

The performance later became a family affair, as Beyoncé’s daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi both joined their mother on stage. The evening came to a fitting close with the final song on Cowboy Carter, “Amen,” as Beyoncé appreciatively announced to the crowd, “Thank you all. This is the first show and you shared it with me. I feel so overwhelmed. God bless you!” Beyoncé has four more shows at SoFi Stadium over the next two weeks, before the Cowboy Carter Tour heads to Chicago on May 15. (Billboard)

Luke Combs closed out the final night of Stagecoach on Sunday (April 27) by delivering a high-energy performance that featured surprise guest appearances by Garth Brooks and Good Charlotte. Starting the show with a bang, Combs brought out fellow country star Bailey Zimmerman for their duet, "Back Up Plan," before captivating the audience with unexpected appearances by Good Charlotte, who performed hits like "The Anthem" and "Where the Wild Things Are" alongside Combs. Closing the set with his hit "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma," Combs invited the legendary Garth Brooks on stage to sing the crowd favorite, "Friends in Low Places." The country star's memorable night continued as he made a surprise appearance at the Palomino for a late-night set with the Backstreet Boys, performing their Grammy-nominated 1999 hit, "I Want It That Way," with Combs even busting out some dance moves with the chart-topping boy band. (Variety)

Cyndi Lauper took to Instagram on Sunday (April 27) to express her gratitude and humility over the news that she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “I’m humbled to be in the company of so many of my heroes – Aretha, Tina, Chaka, Joni, Wanda, to name just a few,” said the 71-year-old pop superstar. “Women have made so many important contributions to music and to rock n roll and a win for one of us is a win for all of us. Thank you to the voting members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for this honor. And thank you to my fans for supporting me throughout my career. I could not do any of this without you.” This year, for the fourth year in a row, four or more women are being inducted into the Rock Hall, with The White Stripes’ Meg White, Salt-N-Pepa, and Carol Kaye joining Lauper in receiving the honors. The institution has been criticized in the past for the lack of female representation among its inductees. (Billboard)

After finishing off her three-night stand in Mexico City on Saturday (April 26), Katy Perry was seen in the crowd at Lady Gaga's Viva La Mayhem stadium show on Sunday night. During the performance, Perry was spotted recording and dancing along to the music, and she later took to Instagram Stories to praise Gaga's performance. “Show was MAGINIFCA! The dress! The sand! Every moment was theee moment,” Perry wrote. “So proud of you and grateful to grow up together @ladygaga Love u.” Perry also shared a series of clips of the performance, including a poignant moment where Gaga read a letter she wrote in Spanish for her passionate Little Monsters in Mexico. Gaga and Perry turned Mexico's capital city into Pop Queen mecca as they both performed multiple sets there over the weekend, with Gaga set to continue her tour in Rio de Janeiro and Singapore, and Perry scheduled for additional shows in Monterrey, Mexico before heading to the United States as part of her Lifetimes Tour. (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (April 24), Ed Sheeran shared a TikTok video of him casually hanging out with Snoop Dogg, where the rap legend expertly rolls a blunt as Sheeran's new song, "Azizam," plays in the background. In the video, Sheeran also enjoys some Rap Snacks "Bar-B-Que" Cheddar Potato Chips featuring Snoop's face on the bag. The singer jokingly captioned the clip, “Last time I smoked with snoop I lost the ability to see,” while also continuing the Spanish-theme of his new single by naming his video, “Fumando con Snoop Dogg: Una experiencia inolvidable,” which translates to “Smoking with Snoop Dogg: An Unforgettable Experience.” The glimpse of the two music stars spending time together caused fans to get excited about potential future collaborations between Sheeran and Snoop. This session with Snoop continues Sheeran's numerous side quests in the U.S. over the past few weeks, including his recent surprise appearance at a Nashville pub with Noah Kahan, and a performance at Coachella with Post Malone. (People)

Haim is preparing to release their first album in five years, I Quit, on June 20, and on Monday (April 28) the sister trio announced a fall tour in support of the record that will take them across the U.S., Canada, and U.K. The 30-date jaunt, dubbed The I Quit Tour, kicks off in June in the U.K. The North American leg starts on September 4 in Philadelphia, hitting major cities like Toronto, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, and more, before wrapping up on October 11 in Santa Barbara, California. Haim’s forthcoming album is co-produced by Danielle Haim and Rostam Batmanglij, and features the previously released singles "Relationships," "Everybody's Trying to Figure Me Out," and “Down To Be Wrong.” The album cover was shot by director Paul Thomas Anderson, with Alana Haim describing the record as “the closest we’ve ever gotten to how we wanted to sound.” An artist pre-sale for the tour begins on May 1, followed by a general on-sale starting on May 2. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” sits at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for a landmark 10th consecutive week. Only 4% of all Hot 100 No. 1s have ruled for double-digit weeks, with “Luther” becoming the first ever 10-week chart-topping hit by a solo man and woman with no accompanying acts – surpassing the nine-week reign of Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love” in 1981.

Other notable moves in this week’s Hot 100 include Alex Warren’s first ever Top 10 hit, “Ordinary,” moving up two places to reach a new peak of No. 3, while Morgan Wallen and Post Malone’s “I Ain’t Coming Back” debuts at No. 8, becoming their 15th and 14th career Top 10s, respectively. It marks the sixth Top 10 lifted from Wallen’s album, I’m the Problem, ahead of its May 16 release, extending his own record for the most Top 10s from a record prior to its arrival.

The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” holding at No. 2, Drake’s “Nokia” drops a spot to No. 4, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” moves up one slot to No.5, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” falls two places to  No. 6, Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” climbs three spots to No. 7, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” remains at No. 9, and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” falls three slots to No. 10. (Billboard)

During Jelly Roll’s headlining performance at Stagecoach on Saturday night (April 26), Lana Del Rey made a surprise appearance, joining Jelly for a duet performance of "Save Me," with Lana filling in for the track’s original vocalist, Lainey Wilson. “This is my favorite crooner of all time. Lana Del Rey is with me, y’all,” Jelly said as he welcomed her to the stage. This collaboration marked a reunion for Del Rey and Jelly Roll, who had previously shared the stage during Lana’s headlining set at Hangout Festival in 2024, where they did a duet of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” Lana wasn’t the only guest star to join Jelly during his big night, with the country singer also joined by BigXthaPlug, Alex Warren, Wiz Khalifa, Jessie Murph, and Brandon Lake. Jelly was also joined by Shaboozey during his Stagecoach set, with the two singers debuting their new duet, “Amen,” which was just released on Friday (April 25). The collaboration is featured on the deluxe reissue of Shaboozey’s recent record, titled Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition. (Rolling Stone)

Lana Del Rey's highly-anticipated “very special country set” in the Palomino tent at Stagecoach on Friday night (April 25) featured nods to music icons like Tammy Wynette – with a cover of “Stand By Your Man” – and John Denver during her 65-minute performance. Amid speculation about the country sound of her upcoming album, Del Rey surprised the crowd by name-dropping Morgan Wallen in a new track titled "57.5," which caused a stir among fans. The lyrics include the provocative lines, “I kissed Morgan Wallen, I guess kissing me kind of went to his head. If you want my secret to success, don’t go ATVing with him when you’re out west.” Lana also performed country-tinged new songs "Husband of Mine" and "Quiet in the South," while also collaborating with rising country singer George Birge on his new single, “Cowboy Songs,” and bringing out Secret Sisters to join her on “Let the Light In.” Del Rey's set culminated with a fiddle-infused rendition of Denver’s anthem, "Take Me Home, Country Roads," which was a fitting end to her first appearance at the renowned country festival. (Variety)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's five core members have reunited for their first new song in nearly 15 years, titled "Aww Sh*t," following failed attempts by John Mulaney to get the group to reunite on his comedy show, Everybody’s Live. The track features Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, and Flesh-N-Bone, marking the first time all members have come together since 2010's Uni5: The World's Enemy. According to Greenback Records, “Aww Sh*t” will be included on a “forthcoming new album” from the Cleveland rap group, who have also announced a series of shows this summer, including an appearance at the Roots Picnic’s Class of ’95 at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl and stops on the Kings of the West hip-hop festival. But questions still linger about their possible appearance on Mulaney's show, after the comedian claimed he had a suspicious encounter with someone pretending to be Bone Thugs’ manager allegedly trying to scam him out of more money for their scheduled performance. (Rolling Stone)

On Friday (April 25), Joe Jonas released a new solo single, "Heart by Heart," from his upcoming album, Music For People Who Believe In Love, set for release on May 23 via Republic Records. The new track is co-written with Lewis Capaldi, Savan, Oscar Holter, and Max Gsus, and follows the previously released singles, “Work It Out” and “What This Could Be.” Jonas initially delayed the release of his new album in order to add some last minute additions to the project, writing on Instagram at the time, “The album is gonna come out later now because I’m flooded with inspo and want to add some final touches.” Jonas is returning with his second solo album after a seven-year gap following his debut project, Fastlife, in 2011. Joe’s new record comes amidst a flurry of activity for the Jonas Brothers, including their 20th anniversary Living the Dream Tour, a live record, a Disney Christmas movie, and the announcement of their seventh album, Greetings from Your Hometown, due out on August 8. (Rolling Stone)

Justin Bieber mourns the death of his grandfather, Bruce Dale, with a heartfelt Instagram tribute shared on Saturday (April 26). The Grammy-winning singer reminisced on childhood memories he spent with his “papa,” and shared a tender throwback photo capturing the two of them embracing back in November of 2009, only days before the then 15-year-old future pop superstar released his debut EP, My World. Dale, husband to Bieber's grandmother and father to the music star's mother, passed away at the age of 80 in Ontario. “I can’t wait to see u again soon in heaven,” Bieber captioned his emotional post. “Until then I know ur watching down. I will miss u. I will ache. And I’ll sit and let myself remember all of the wonderful times we’ve had.”

In additional Bieber news, the singer shared an Instagram video on Friday (April 25) capturing what his encounters with paparazzi are typically like, filled with blinding camera flashes and swarming photographers. “This has to stop,” Bieber captioned his post, making an emotional plea to paparazzi to let up on their unrelenting coverage of him. (People)