On Thursday night (October 16), Sam Fender was awarded the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album, People Watching. The ceremony was held in Fender’s hometown of Newcastle in the North East of England, marking the first time the awards took place outside of London. Receiving the trophy from broadcaster and DJ Sian Eleri, Fender thanked fellow nominees like CMAT and Fontaines D.C., while other shortlisted bands like Pulp, FKA Twigs, and Wolf Alice performed at the event. Fender dedicated the award to the late Annie Orwin, who inspired the album, referring to her as “like a surrogate mother to me and passed away last November. I was by her side at the end, slept on a chair next to her. It’s about what was going through my head, to and from that place and home.” Emotional and surprised by the win, he praised his hometown, calling it “the best region in the country,” before performing the title track to a standing ovation. (NME)

Janelle Monáe and the Wondaland Arts Society have returned to Los Angeles with Wondaween 2025, a month-long Halloween festival spanning cemeteries, theaters, secret venues, and the Hollywood Bowl throughout the month of October. The event kicked off with a screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and includes highlights like a horror conversation panel with Danny Elfman at USC, a game night, a Haunted Hayride at Monáe Manor. and a concert featuring Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Hollywood Bowl, where Monáe will voice the character of Sally. The festivities culminate on October 30 with an invite-only Vampire Beach-themed music festival hosted by Monáe, featuring surprise DJs, rides, and a costume celebration at a secret location. Monáe, known for her imaginative Halloween costumes in years past, will likely reveal her holiday attire at the event, which she views as a joyful creative outlet and a way to inspire imagination and happiness. (Rolling Stone)

Fugees founder Pras Michél was recently convicted on multiple conspiracy charges that carry a potential 22-year prison sentence, and the 52-year-old rapper has partnered with Mark Wahlberg to produce a documentary exploring his musical legacy and high-profile 2023 trial. The film, produced under Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas banner, will delve into Michél’s rise in the music world, while also focusing on the complex legal case involving allegations of funneling foreign funds to a straw donor to Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign, witness tampering, and failing to register as a foreign agent for China. “Everyone is fascinated by all the twists and turns, like it’s some kind of thriller,” Michél says. “But for me, this is just my life — the real, messy, complicated truth of what I’ve been living through.” Wahlberg is working on the film with Unrealistic Ideas president Archie Gips, who called the story, “a surprising mix of pop culture and geopolitical intrigue that feels like a spy thriller come to life.” (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on the Sherri show, Ja Rule joyfully announced that he’s going to be a grandfather, as his daughter Brittney Atkins, 30, and her husband, Tevin Aitken, are expecting their first child. "I'm about to be a grandfather," he proudly revealed, while jokingly adding, "That don't even sound right." The 49-year-old rapper and actor recounted the memorable moment Brittney revealed her pregnancy by gifting them a sonogram in a box labeled “you’re now grandma and grandfather.” "You can see my expression, see my wifey's expression," the Fast & Furious star shared. "It  was an amazing moment." Already a father of three with wife Aisha, Ja Rule humorously said he plans to adopt the nickname “Big Poppa” for his new role in an homage to The Notorious B.I.G. Show host Sherri Shepherd celebrated the news by presenting Ja Rule with a custom cardigan emblazoned with "Big Poppa" during the show. (People)

Charlie Puth and his wife Brooke revealed that they are expecting their first baby in the singer’s new music video for his song, "Changes." The track is the lead single on Puth’s forthcoming album, Whatever’s Clever!, which is due out March 6 via Atlantic Records. In the video, Brooke, wearing a red sweater, cradles her baby bump as Puth tenderly places his hands over hers, sharing an intimate moment that mirrors the personal themes of the song. A press release for the video says the clip "reflects on 'Changes' both personal and professional with a sweet cameo from his real life wife Brooke Sansone." Ahead of the music video’s release, Puth hinted at the baby announcement with a post on Instagram, writing in the caption: “This is the song I wanted you to hear first because it’s a perfect way to bring all of you into the most beautiful, colorful part of my life, which happens to be right now. You will soon know why…” (Billboard)

Ava Ahlander, a 23-year-old concertgoer from Seattle, tragically died while evacuating the REDWEST Festival in Salt Lake City on Saturday (October 11) due to severe weather. The event, which was set to be headlined by Post Malone, was postponed and attendees were urged to seek shelter, so Ahlander took refuge in her car. But she was struck by a 2×12-inch scaffolding board from a nearby construction site when she stepped out of the vehicle, sustaining fatal head and neck injuries. Despite receiving emergency medical care, her family confirmed her passing to a local news station. “Ava was an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her,” the family said in a statement. “She was an avid concert goer and had flown in from Seattle to go see Post Malone with her friends.” They have since launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral and medical expenses and counseling for those affected, with remaining funds to be donated to a charity in her honor. (Consequence of Sound)

The music world is mourning the loss of neo-soul legend D’Angelo, who died on Tuesday (October 14) at the age of 51 from prostate cancer. His passing has prompted heartfelt tributes from artists including Lauryn Hill, Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé, and Jill Scott. Hill, who duetted with D’Angelo on “Nothing Even Matters” from her landmark 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, wrote a moving tribute to him on Instagram: “I regret not having more time with you. Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world. You sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and even intimidated others to action with your genius. Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.” Beyoncé honored D’Angelo on her website: “We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry, you were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever, we will never forget you.” While his longtime manager, Kedar Massenburg, shared, “D’Angelo was a one-of-a-kind innovator and trailblazer whose contribution to Neo-Soul, R&B, and hip hop, will last forever.” (Variety)

Shaboozey is praising Bad Bunny as the ideal choice for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner, calling him a "global superstar, global icon — and an American citizen," whose performances ignite audiences worldwide. Shaboozey – an NFL halftime show veteran after headlining the 2024 Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show in November before making a high-profile cameo in the Beyoncé Bowl on Christmas Day – spoke with Billboard during the U.S. Grand Prix, telling the publication, “I think Bad Bunny’s awesome.” The country superstar went on to add that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance is going to bring the event to a worldwide audience. “I’ve noticed the NFL has been trying to expand,” Shaboozey said, while adding, “My brother Myles Smith played up in Dublin at one of their season openers, so they’re clearly trying to globalize the brand. Football’s such a beloved sport, why not not take it to other places?” (Billboard)

At the Los Angeles stop of his Antagonist 2.0 Tour on Tuesday night (October 14), Playboi Carti delivered a star-studded performance at Crypto.com Arena. The chart-topping Atlanta rapper brought out A$AP Rocky – who signed Carti to his creative agency, AWGE – and Kendrick Lamar, who surprised fans with a guest appearance during the track “GOOD CREDIT.” This marked a reciprocal moment for the hip-hop stars, as Kendrick had previously brought out Carti during his Grand National Tour stop in Atlanta back in April. Kendrick is set to resume his world tour in Australia this December, while Carti continues his Antagonist 2.0 Tour across major U.S. cities over the next two months, while teasing his highly-anticipated Baby Boi album, which was confirmed to be completed earlier this year but has yet to be given an official release date. (Billboard)

Sabrina Carpenter is the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live’s October 18 episode, and the pop superstar released a new promo for the show that parodies Sex and the City. In the clip, Carpenter hilariously steps into Carrie Bradshaw’s New York, exchanging witty banter with cast members, and embodying the iconic character’s sass, all while a voiceover shares her thoughts about the experience. “The woman wondered what she’d gotten herself into,” Carpenter narrates while she types away at a laptop that isn’t even turned on, before leaving us hanging at the end of the clip by adding, “Having won over the cast and crew, the only thing left to do was…” Carpenter made her debut appearance on SNL in May 2024 by performing her hit single, “Espresso,” alongside a medley of her early tunes, "Feather/Nonsense," and she has since gone on to release two chart-topping albums, the Grammy-winning Short n’ Sweet and Man’s Best Friend. (Rolling Stone)

Nicki Minaj has announced that she is canceling her planned sixth studio album, which was originally set to be released on March 27, 2026. The rapper wrote on X on Wednesday (October 15), “Ok I’m not going to put out the album anymore. No more music,” and she tagged Jay-Z with the message, “Hope you’re happy now.” Minaj then said farewell to her fans by adding, “Bye, Barbz. Love you for life.” In previous posts, Minaj alluded to conflicts with industry figures and her record label, suggesting attempts to block her success. She also referenced tensions with Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez amid ongoing public disputes, including a legal ruling against her and her husband. Despite her announcement, fans on social media remain skeptical of Minaj’s claim that she’s done releasing music, while they patiently await the eventual follow-up to 2023’s Pink Friday 2. (Rolling Stone)

Kylie Jenner has revived her edgy alter ego, King Kylie, while making her music debut on Terror Jr’s new single, “Fourth Strike.” The song is a follow-up to their 2014 track, “Three Strikes,” which was featured in an early Kylie Cosmetics lip gloss ad. The reemergence of King Kylie is tied to her relaunch of signature Kylie Cosmetics retro products under the same banner. The track accompanies a new commercial featuring Jenner as a recently released prisoner driving off in a black convertible with her mother, Kris Jenner, blending throwback visuals aligned with the King Kylie theme. Terror Jr were initially an anonymous group who first gained attention through their collaboration with Kylie Cosmetics. Jenner denied being involved with their original single, which makes this musical feature her official debut. Jenner is also set to appear in Charli XCX’s upcoming A24 film, The Moment, which will expand the acting career of the 28-year-old cosmetics and entertainment mogul. (Rolling Stone)

In a new Vanity Fair cover story, Charli XCX discussed her upcoming film, The Moment, which she described as a “2024 period piece” and “the realest depiction of the music industry that I’ve ever seen.” The movie, which is “based on an original idea” by Charli, explores an alternate reality of her career during the Brat era, imagining how things might have unfolded had she made different choices. It follows a rising pop star navigating fame and industry pressures ahead of her arena tour debut, but Charli explicitly says the project is “not a tour documentary or a concert film in any way.” The film is directed and co-written by Aidan Zamiri, with Charli set to star alongside a star-studded cast featuring Alexander Skarsgård, Rachel Sennott, Kylie Jenner, Rosanna Arquette, and more. While the film doesn't have a specific release date, it is set to arrive sometime in 2026, and features music by Charli’s frequent collaborator, A.G. Cook. (Rolling Stone)

Sabrina Carpenter took to her Instagram Stories to praise Taylor Swift as the “greatest of all time” (GOAT) after Swift's Billboard No. 1 album, The Life of a Showgirl, shattered records by selling over 4 million copies in its first week, marking the biggest opening week in music history. Carpenter, who is featured as the sole guest artist on the album after touring with Swift during her blockbuster Eras Tour, reshared Swift’s recent Instagram post, and celebrated her milestone with a series of heart emojis and the emphatic phrase “Of. All. Time.” In her caption, Swift reflected on her humble beginnings and expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming success of Showgirl, writing: “I have 4 million thank you’s I want to send to the fans, and 4 million reasons to feel even more proud of this album than I already was. I’ll cherish this feeling forever. Thank you for the lovely bouquet. 💐” (Billboard)

Megan Thee Stallion took to Instagram on Monday (October 13) to announce the return of her annual Hottieween Party, which is set to take place on Halloween night (October 31) in the Houston suburb of Humble, Texas. Costumes are mandatory for the event, and everyone must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets go on-sale on Wednesday (October 15), with proceeds benefitting the Grammy-winning rapper’s Pete & Thomas Foundation, which provides resources for women, children, senior citizens, and underserved communities in the area. “HOUSTON HOTTIES IM COMING HOME FOR HALLOWEEN!,” Meg wrote in the caption, while adding, “This year Hottieween is gonna be BIGGER than ever!!! 🎃” In addition to her upcoming holiday party, on Friday (October 10), Megan was honored by The Trevor Project with the 2025 Mental Health Champion of the Year Award for her advocacy and initiatives supporting mental health. (Billboard)

D’Angelo, the pioneering soul and R&B artist known for his critically acclaimed albums Brown Sugar, Voodoo, and Black Messiah, died on Tuesday (October 14) at 51 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” his family said in a statement. “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.” Celebrated as a modern visionary and a key figure in the Soulquarians collective – which included Questlove, Erykah Badu, J Dilla, and Q-Tip – he was lauded for his innovative artistry and profound musical depth, earning 14 Grammy nominations and four wins during his career, including Best R&B Album for both Voodoo and Black Messiah.

Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, he displayed musical talent from an early age, ultimately shaping the sound of contemporary soul and R&B, while rejecting industry labels like "neo-soul," instead describing his work simply as “black music.” Despite personal battles with addiction and lengthy struggles with writer’s block, D’Angelo created timeless music renowned for its emotional intensity and meticulous craftsmanship, influencing a generation of artists before his untimely death. D’Angelo is survived by his son, Michael Archer, whom he shared with soul singer Angie Stone until her death in March 2025. (Rolling Stone)

During her Radical Optimism Tour stop at San Francisco’s Chase Center on Sunday night (October 12), Dua Lipa continued her tour tradition of honoring hometown music legends by surprising the audience with a duet with Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day’s 2004 multi-platinum hit, “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” Lipa introduced the performance by announcing to the crowd: “Every night we do a different surprise song by a local artist, and I immediately thought about San Francisco and all the incredible music that has come out of here. I thought about one band in particular. Join me in welcoming the incredible Billie Joe from Green Day!” Lipa’s collaboration with Armstrong followed her tribute to Bay Area icon Janis Joplin with a cover of “Piece of My Heart” during Saturday’s show. Throughout the tour, Lipa has paid homage to various local artists in each city, and welcomed notable musicians like Gwen Stefani, Chaka Khan, and Charli XCX to share the stage for special collaborations in their hometowns. (NME)

Sabrina Carpenter continues to explore her country music influences, surprising fans during her headlining set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Saturday night (October 11) by bringing out The Chicks to perform their No. 1 smash, “Wide Open Spaces.” The 13-time Grammy winning trio also joined Carpenter for a rendition of her chart-topping hit, “Please Please Please,” which she recently re-released with country music icon Dolly Parton. “ACL weekend 2 🖤 such a special night,” Carpenter wrote on Instagram alongside a photo carousel from the show. “Getting to sing wide open spaces/ please please please with @thechicks was a true highlight of my life!!” This follows Carpenter’s collaboration with country legend Shania Twain during the previous weekend at ACL, and comes shortly after Sabrina made her celebrated Grand Ole Opry debut, highlighting her ongoing homage to country music amid her Grammy-winning pop career. (Holler)

After taking an extended break from live performances in 2024, Demi Lovato announced on Monday (October 13) that she is returning to the stage for a one-night-only show at the Palladium in Los Angeles on October 25. The concert will celebrate the release of Lovato's new album, It’s Not That Deep, which drops the previous day, with the performance also set to feature her favorite hits from over the years. “This era is a celebration of the journey that’s brought me to where i am today,” Lovato wrote. “I haven’t announced a headline show since 2023 and i have missed seeing your faces so much. i cannot wait to get back in a room with you all and sing, dance, scream, and shake our asses TOGETHER!!” Tickets went on-sale at 2 p.m. PT on Monday (October 13), with a press release revealing that tickets are being sold in “limited quantities for this underplay.” (Billboard)

Taylor Swift makes history by claiming the Top 12 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 18. All the songs from Swift's record-setting No. 1 album, The Life of a Showgirl, reached the top twelve places on the chart, led by the No. 1 debut of “The Fate of Ophelia.” This marks the first time a full album has occupied the Top 12 spots uninterrupted on the chart, while Swift dominates the entire Hot 100 Top 10 for the third time in her career, a feat no other artist has ever achieved. “The Fate of Ophelia” also set streaming records with 92.5 million U.S. streams in its debut week – the highest since streaming became the sole chart metric in 2020 – and earned Swift her 13th career Hot 100 No. 1, tying her with Drake and Michael Jackson for fourth-most in chart history, behind only The Beatles (20 No. 1s), Mariah Carey (19), and Rihanna (14).

The album’s 12 tracks collectively amassed 679 million streams, with each of the 12 songs accumulating at least 1.1 million in airplay audience, while cumulatively they rang up 68.5 million in radio reach. Following “The Fate of Ophelia” at No. 1 on the Hot 100 is “Opalite” at No. 2, “Elizabeth Taylor” at No. 3, “Father Figure” at No. 4, “Wood” at No. 5, “Wi$h Li$t” at No. 6, “Actually Romantic” at No. 7, “The Life of a Showgirl,” feat. Sabrina Carpenter at No. 8, “Eldest Daughter” at No. 9, “Cancelled!” at No. 10, “Ruin the Friendship” at No. 11, and “Honey” coming in at No. 12. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift announced on Monday (October 13) that she is bringing a six-episode documentary series, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era, along with a companion concert film, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show, to Disney+ on December 12. The docuseries offers an intimate look at her life during the record-setting global tour, featuring appearances by opening acts Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter, as well as special guests Ed Sheeran and Florence Welch, with episodes releasing two at a time over three weeks. The concert film captures the full final show of The Eras Tour held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver on December 8, 2023, showcasing never-before-aired material from The Tortured Poets Department era of the show. Directed by Don Argott and Glenn Weiss respectively, these projects celebrate the culmination of Swift’s landmark tour, with Taylor writing, “It was the End of an Era and we knew it.” (Variety)

Taylor Swift's new album, The Life of a Showgirl, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart after selling a record-breaking 4.002 million equivalent album units – including 3.48 million pure album sales – in its first week, marking the largest single-week sales and album consumption figures since Luminate first began tracking data in 1991. Opening week sales of The Life of a Showgirl breaks the record previously set by the opening frame of Adele’s 25, which recorded 3.482 million units (3.378 million pure album sales) in November 2015. This achievement gives Swift her record-setting 15th No. 1 album, the most ever for a solo artist – surpassing Drake and JAY-Z – while making her second only to The Beatles all-time record of 19 No. 1 albums. Notably, all 15 of Swift’s full-length studio and rerecorded albums, from 2008’s Fearless onward, have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, with The Life of a Showgirl also making Swift the only artist in history to have eight different albums sell at least 1 million copies in a single week.

The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 features seven former No. 1 albums, including last week's leader, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, which drops one spot to No. 2, while Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem falls one slot to No. 3, Cardi B’s AM I THE DRAMA? slides down one place to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend holds at No. 5, Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS vaults up four spots to No. 6 (after he hosted the season premiere of NBC’s Saturday Night Live on Oct. 4), SZA’s SOS jumps up three slots to No. 9, and Wallen’s former chart-topper, One Thing at a Time, ascends three places to No. 10. The Top 10 is rounded out by Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, which rises one spot to No. 7 in its second week on the chart, while Alex Warren’s You’ll Be Alright, Kid jumps up three slots to No. 8. (Billboard)

Role Model made his Saturday Night Live debut on October 11, performing two songs from his deluxe album, Kansas Anymore, including his hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart. During the rousing performance of “Sally,” Charli XCX made a surprise cameo as the song’s title character when the singer asked, “Where’s my Sally tonight?” The Grammy-winning pop superstar shocked fans by joining Role Model on stage, with Charli doing a playful dance while wearing a black leather skirt, dark sunglasses, and a “Max’s Kansas City” T-shirt. before blowing him a kiss as she exited the stage. In previous live performances of his breakout hit, Role Model has been joined by famous “Sallys” like Natalie Portman, Olivia Rodrigo, Hilary Duff, Reneé Rapp, Kate Hudson, and Troye Sivan, who toured with Charli in 2024 on their co-headlining Sweat Tour. (Billboard)

On Friday (October 10), No Doubt announced details of their six-night residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere in May 2026, marking the Grammy-winning band’s return to the stage following their acclaimed 2024 Coachella performances and the FireAid benefit concert earlier this year. The group – featuring Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, and Adrian Young – will perform six limited engagement shows on May 6, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16. “The opportunity to create a show at Sphere excites me in a new way,” says Stefani in a statement. “The venue is unique and modern and it opens up a whole new visual palette for us to be creative. Doing it with No Doubt feels like going back in time to relive our history, while also creating something new in a way we never could have imagined.” This residency will be the first by a female-fronted act at the Sphere, with ticket presale beginning on Wednesday (October 15), followed by a  general on-sale on Friday (October 17). (Variety)

Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart dated October 18. This marks Bieber's 11th chart-topper of his career, while tying Bruno Mars for the most No. 1s among solo male artists since the chart’s inception in 1992. This achievement places Bieber alongside Maroon 5, Katy Perry, and Rihanna, each with 11 No. 1 hits, second only to Taylor Swift’s record 13. “Daisies,” from his new album SWAG, returns Bieber to the Pop Airplay summit for the first time since 2022, and extends his span of No. 1 hits to nearly a decade, beginning with “What Do You Mean?” in 2015. The song also dethroned Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” which had held the No. 1 spot for a record 16 weeks, ultimately surpassing Ace of Base’s 14-week reign in 1994 with “The Sign” for the all-time mark. (Billboard)

Good Morning America is teasing a “huge new exclusive announcement” related to Taylor Swift on Monday’s (October 13) episode. “TOMORROW: We’re keep it 💯 with an exclusive Taylor Swift announcement! Tune in ONLY on GMA!” reads the caption on the show's Instagram post, which features a clip from Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” music video from her chart-topping new album, The Life of a Showgirl. The post includes a voiceover that says: “She’s at it again. Taylor Swift shattering records with the biggest album debut in history with over four million units. And now tomorrow morning, GMA has a huge new exclusive announcement on Taylor. So what’s next for her? Find out on Good Morning America.” While speculation about a Showgirl tour continues to build, Swift recently confirmed she is too exhausted after her blockbuster Eras Tour and has no immediate plans to tour again. Fans can catch the exclusive reveal on GMA, which airs from 7-9 a.m. ET on ABC. (Billboard)

During her Miami concert at the Kaseya Center on Thursday night (October 9), Billie Eilish was violently grabbed and nearly pulled into the crowd by an aggressive fan while leaving the stage and exchanging high-fives with the audience. The alarming incident, which was captured in a series of fan-shot videos, initially caused Eilish to fall against the barricade, though she appeared uninjured afterward, and was helped up by security before continuing without further fan interaction. The Miami Police Department confirmed the fan was ejected from the venue with no charges pending. Eilish has previously spoken about the challenges of fan behavior at concerts in a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Report, telling the publication, “people just get excited and it can be dangerous. You’re in a vulnerable position.” Eilish launched the new North American leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour with a three-night stand in Miami over the weekend, and has additional live dates scheduled through November. (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (October 9), Kid Harpoon was officially named the first-ever Producer in Residence at Abbey Road Studios. This position grants him “complete access to Abbey Road as his creative playground and studio home in the UK, as well as its collection of vintage gear, microphones and instruments”, while he mentors emerging UK talent through education programs. The British-born producer, whose real name is Thomas Hull, earned Grammys for Record of the Year for Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers,” and Album of the Year for Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, and has also worked with Shawn Mendes, Maggie Rogers, Florence + The Machine, Lizzo, and Jesse Ware, and recently produced David Byrne’s new album, Who Is the Sky? “I’m beyond excited to become Producer in Residence at Abbey Road,” Kid Harpoon said in a statement. “In this position, I’m hoping to use my experience to help guide some of the incredible up-and-coming talent we have in the UK while they navigate their way through what can be a difficult industry.” (Rolling Stone)

Variety has named Sabrina Carpenter as their 2025 Hitmaker of the Year, and will honor her at the ninth annual Hitmakers celebration on December 6 in Los Angeles. Carpenter’s recognition comes amid the success of her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and amassed over 180 million U.S. streams in its first week, continuing the momentum from her 2024 Grammy-winning album, Short & Sweet. She is set to headline Coachella next April, and has a highly-anticipated North American tour kicking off in October. Carpenter joins an elite group of past Hitmakers like Charli XCX, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles. Carpenter also made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday (October 7), describing the experience as “a magical night.” Carpenter was introduced by Sheryl Crow, with Sabrina gushing, “i am the biggest fan ever so that made my whole night alone if nothing else!” Celebrating the iconic venue’s 100th anniversary, Carpenter thanked fans and the band, while sharing backstage moments and expressing gratitude for the warm welcome she received. The Opry captured the event on TikTok, writing, “We were thrilled to welcome her into the circle!” (Variety)

During her sold-out Radical Optimism Tour stop at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (October 8), Dua Lipa was joined by local music legend Gwen Stefani to perform a duet of No Doubt’s Grammy-nominated 1995 hit, “Don’t Speak.” Lipa introduced Stefani to the crowd by  describing her as “one of my personal heroes, one of my favorite artists, someone who I’ve grown up listening to my whole life, who’s influenced my music, influenced my style, someone who I love as a performer, and someone who just constantly keeps redefining herself and music. And I just absolutely love that this incredible woman is here tonight.” The memorable moment was a fitting close to Lipa’s four-night stand in L.A., where the pop superstar was joined by Lionel Richie for “All Night Long,” while paying tribute to local icons by covering “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac and “California Dreamin” by the Mamas and the Papas. (Rolling Stone)

Madonna will belatedly celebrate the 30th anniversary of her 1994 album, Bedtime Stories, with a new EP, Bedtime Stories – The Untold Chapter, which is set to be released on November 28. The EP features eight tracks including remixes, alternate mixes, and unreleased demos such as “Right on Time” (which is available to stream now), “Let Your Guard Down,” and “Love Won’t Wait,” which was later recorded by Take That’s Gary Barlow in 1997. Highlights include new mixes of singles “Secret” and “Human Nature,” as well as a short mix of “Freedom,” originally recorded during the Bedtime Stories sessions. The EP will be available digitally, on vinyl, and as part of a 2-CD reissue alongside the original album, which will also be issued on silver vinyl. Preorders for all formats are now live. Madonna recently reopened her musical vault by finally dropping the planned-but-never-released remix companion to Ray of Light, Veronica Electronica, and is preparing to release a new album in 2026 after reuniting with Warner Records. (Rolling Stone)

NBC has announced that they will air a special episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday (October 10) that will feature an extended interview with Taylor Swift, including previously unaired segments from her Monday appearance promoting her new album, The Life of a Showgirl. Those previously unaired portions of Swift’s interview were later posted online, including the pop superstar discussing why she isn’t performing at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Swift says she’s had conversations with Jay-Z and his Roc Nation team, who produce the halftime show, and she reveals they have asked, “How does she feel about it in general?” Swift goes on to add, “I am in love with a guy [Travis Kelce] who does that sport on that actual field. Can you imagine if he’s out there every single week, putting his life on the line, and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo should be?’” (Variety)

In a new interview for a Rolling Stone UK cover story, Louis Tomlinson reveals that he has ruled out the possibility of a One Direction reunion taking place anytime soon. The singer admits that he once considered the idea of the boy band eventually doing something together again, “even if it’s just one big show,” but now the prospect feels "infinitely more complicated" following the death of bandmate Liam Payne last year. “Right now, I can’t foresee a time where I would actually feel comfortable doing that,” Tomlinson says of a possible 1D reunion, while admitting that performing as a four-piece with Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik would “feel like something else, almost.” Tomlinson will reunite with his former bandmate Malik in a forthcoming Netflix documentary series exploring their friendship and personal lives, while also preparing to release his third solo album, How Did I Get Here?, in January. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (October 7), EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami – the real-life voices behind HUNTR/X’s No. 1 single “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters – made their first live television performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, delivering their hit song on a futuristic set after being introduced by an animated video. The trio also sat down with Fallon for an interview where they discussed their sudden rise to fame since the film’s release in June, including a surprise Saturday Night Live cameo over the weekend alongside the show’s host, Bad Bunny. Fallon highlighted the massive success of the soundtrack, which reclaimed No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second week, while noting that “Golden” has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks, making history as the longest-running No. 1 female K-pop song in history. The segment concluded with the group receiving a platinum plaque for the soundtrack achieving platinum certification by the RIAA. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (October 8), Mary J. Blige announced that she will release her first-ever concert film, For My Fans, Live From Madison Square Garden, in theaters for two nights on November 5 and 8. The film captures the nine-time Grammy winner’s sold-out hometown show in April at New York’s City’s iconic arena, and features performances of hit songs like “Family Affair” and “No More Drama,” alongside tracks from her latest album, Gratitude. The movie also includes behind-the-scenes footage and special guest appearances from artists including Jadakiss, Fabolous, Ne-Yo, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie. “Being able to share this moment globally with my fans, who can experience this together in a movie theater, is more special than I can put into words,” Blige said in a statement. “This tour was always for my fans, and being able to make this into a movie for them means the world.” (Rolling Stone)

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, set for November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and streaming live on Disney+, will feature performances and presentations from legendary prior inductees Elton John, Missy Elliott, Flea, and Iggy Pop, alongside current stars like Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Teddy Swims, and RAYE, as well as TV icon David Letterman. The ceremony will honor this year’s performer inductees featuring Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes, along with Musical Influence honorees Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon, Musical Excellence recipients Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye, and the the Ahmet Ertegun Award honoree Lenny Waronker. Additional presenters and performers include Beck, Brandi Carlile, J.I.D, Killer Mike, Maxwell, Questlove, Sleepy Brown, Taylor Momsen, and Twenty One Pilots. The 2025 Inductee Exhibit is set to open at the Rock Hall on October 31, with highlights from the ceremony set to air in a primetime ABC special on January 1, 2026. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift's new album, The Life of a Showgirl, has shattered Adele's nearly decade-old first-week sales record, earning 3.5 million equivalent album units in its initial tracking week according to Billboard, while surpassing Adele’s 3.482 million units for 25 in 2015. Released on October 3, Swift’s album has sold 3.2 million traditional copies, approaching but not yet exceeding Adele’s physical sales record of 3.387 million. Swift’s impressive sales figures were boosted by multiple limited-edition CD and vinyl variants, with additional copies containing exclusive acoustic versions and voice memo recordings made available to order for only 24 hours. The Life of a Showgirl also broke Swift’s own Spotify record for most streams in a day within only 12 hours, fueled by a record-breaking 5.5 million pre-saves. The tracking week for the album closes on Thursday (October 9), with final first-week sales officially announced on Sunday (October 12). (Rolling Stone)

Megan Moroney and Ed Sheeran got together for a surprise pop-up show at Brooklyn’s KidSuper on Monday night (October 6), where the duo traded songs in an intimate performance that thrilled fans and sparked calls for a future collaboration from the two music superstars. Sheeran shared a clip from the event on Instagram, while captioning the post: “Played a secret show with @megmoroney tonight at @kidsuper in Brooklyn. The rule was deep cuts, song for song, until the end where we played some of our hits. I loved it so much, thank you Megan for your time and being up for the idea. I’m such a fan, you rock x.” Moroney replied in the comments, “Loved every minute of tonight!!! Thank you for putting this together 🙌❤️.” This follows Sheeran’s surprise solo performance at the same venue days earlier, while speculation builds around Moroney making a major announcement on Thursday (October 9) which she has recently been teasing on social media. (Holler)

Drake extends his record as the artist with the most No. 1s on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart, earning his 43rd chart-topper with “Which One,” a collaboration with Central Cee that also marks the British rapper's first No. 1 on both Rhythmic and Rap Airplay charts. “Which One” is Drake’s fourth consecutive Rhythmic Airplay No. 1 in 2025, matching his longest streak of his career, and his 45th No. 1 on Rap Airplay – and second straight chart-topper after the three-week reign of  “What Did I Miss?” this summer – further adding to his record-setting total on that tally. The track also climbs to No. 10 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and No. 13 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, while currently ranking No. 87 on the all-genre Hot 100 chart, after debuting at No. 23 in August. “Which One” is expected to be included on Drake’s forthcoming ninth studio album, Iceman, though a release date and official tracklist for the project has yet to be revealed. (Billboard)

Mariah Carey’s new album, Here For It All, debuts atop four Billboard album charts after its first week of release, reaching No. 1 on Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, Top R&B Albums, and Independent Albums charts. Here For It All also debuts at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, marking Carey’s 19th career Top 10 entry on the tally. That achievement also makes Carey one of only three women with Top 10 albums across the '90s, '00s, '10s, and '20s, joining Madonna and Shania Twain. Here for It All was released via the singer’s own imprint, Mariah/Gamma, marking Carey’s first independently released project, and her first studio album since 2018’s Caution. The new album also places three songs in the Top 25 on the Hot R&B Songs chart, while also notching Carey's first ever entry on Hot Gospel Songs with “Jesus I Do,” featuring The Clark Sisters, which debuts at No. 5. (Billboard)

BLACKPINK’s JISOO has teased a surprise duet with former One Direction member Zayn Malik, sharing a series of mysterious social media posts hinting at their upcoming collaboration titled “EYESCLOSED.” The teaser features a shadowed male figure, later revealed as Zayn, standing behind JISOO, with captions that hint, “A duet is near,” and “two voices, one orbit. coming soon.” Zayn previously attended BLACKPINK’s New York concert with his daughter in July, praising the group after the show, “@BLACKPINKOFFICIAL THANK YOU 🙂 ME & KHAI LOVED IT,” which sparked fans’ curiosity about the potential connection between the two artists. This duet will be JISOO’s first new music since she released her solo EP, Amortage, in February, and comes as BLACKPINK are set to resume their Deadline World Tour in Taiwan on October 18. (Billboard)

Bad Bunny has claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Latin Artists of the 21st Century Chart, a retrospective tally based on artists' performance on the Top Latin Albums and Hot Latin Songs charts from 2000 to 2024. Bad Bunny tops the list despite only making his Billboard chart debut in 2016, notching a remarkable 16 No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs and nine No. 1s on Top Latin Albums charts in that short amount of time. Benito also had a record-breaking run of 70 weeks at No. 1 with his 2020 sophomore album, YHLQMDLG, leading to him being recognized as Billboard’s all-genre Top Artist of 2022 while also serving as the publication’s reigning Top Latin Artist for five consecutive years. Bad Bunny continues to redefine Latin music’s global impact, and his selection as headliner of the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show cements his status as a transformative and influential worldwide superstar. The rest of the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Artists of the 21st Century Chart is rounded out by (in order): Romeo Santos, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Antonio Solís, J Balvin, Shakira, Aventura, Juanes, and Ozuna coming in at No. 10. (Billboard)

For the first time since she was 17, Taylor Swift is not vying for a Grammy nomination this year, as she didn’t release an album, single, or video within the eligibility period for the 2026 Grammy Awards. Her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, and lead single, “The Fate of Ophelia,” both debuted on October 3, missing the August 30 cutoff to be eligible for Grammy consideration. Since 2007, Swift has won 14 Grammy awards, including a record four Album of the Year awards, but this year she will be noticeably absent from the ceremony (unless she is a presenter). Swift was first eligible for a Grammy at the 2007 ceremony, as the 17-year-old rising country star was considered for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her first hit single, “Tim McGraw,” but wasn’t nominated in either category. Swift lost her first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2008 (to Amy Winehouse), and has been a nominee every year since then, except for 2009, 2011 and 2017, though she was entered in two or more categories for each of those ceremonies, but wasn’t chosen as a nominee. (Billboard)

HUNTR/X’s “Golden,” from Netflix’s record-setting animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for an eighth week. The track – performed by the vocal trio EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI – is now tied for the eighth-longest rule for a song from a movie over the Hot 100’s 67-year history, while also becoming the second-longest-leading hit ever by an all-women group, trailing only the 11-week chart-topping run by Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women Part I.” “Golden” also tops the Hot 100 chart while the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack is No. 1 on the Billboard 200, repeating the same feat from the September 20-dated chart.

Tate McRae makes the only debut on this week’s Hot 100 Top 10, as  “Tit for Tat” launches at No. 3, becoming the 22-year-old singer’s third Top 10 hit of her blossoming career, while McRae’s smash collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “What I Want,” remains at No. 4. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” stays at No. 2, Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” rises three spots to No. 5, and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” moves up one slot to No. 6. Saja Boys place two hits from KPop Demon Hunters on the top tier of the chart, as “Soda Pop” falls four places to No. 7, and “Your Idol” drops five spots to No. 10. The Top 10 is rounded out by Wallen’s “I Got Better,” which rises three spots to No. 8, while Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” holds firm at No. 9. (Billboard)

On Monday (October 6), Ed Sheeran announced that he has teamed up with acclaimed director Philip Barantini for the upcoming Netflix special, One Shot With Ed Sheeran, which is set to premiere on November 21. The show follows the Grammy-winning musician as he wanders through New York City in real time, performing impromptu songs on subway cars and street corners while interacting with surprised fans. Known for his masterful one-shot directing in award-winning projects like Boiling Point and Adolescence, Barantini takes a different approach here by capturing unscripted, candid moments as Sheeran brings his music directly to the public. “From impromptu performances on bustling sidewalks and subway cars, to intimate interactions with fans and passersby,” reads a press release, “Ed Sheeran’s journey through New York will be captured in a series of unforgettable moments, highlighting the pandemonium and excitement that follows.” (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (October 6), Cyndi Lauper announced the details of her first-ever Las Vegas residency, Cyndi Lauper: Live in Las Vegas. The limited five-date run is set to take place at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace from April 24 to May 2, 2026. This newly announced residency follows the 1985 Best New Artist Grammy winner’s recently completed, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, with Lauper also set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2025. “Vegas will become ‘Cyn City’ next spring, when I bring my Girls Just Wanna Have Fun show to town for this special run, an opportunity for fans who missed my Farewell Tour to celebrate one last time,” Lauper wrote in her Instagram announcement. Tickets will go on-sale starting with an artist pre-sale on October 8, followed by general sales on October 10. (Consequence of Sound) 

During a recent BBC Radio 2 interview with Scott Mills, Taylor Swift strongly denied rumors sparked by fans suggesting her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, would be her last due to her upcoming marriage to Travis Kelce. “That’s a shockingly offensive thing to say,” Swift said. “That’s not why people get married — so they can quit their job.” After Mills said those rumors are due to Swift’s fans' tendency to panic about her future plans, the pop superstar agreed, while responding, “They love to panic sometimes, but I love the person that I am with because he loves what I do, and he loves how much I am fulfilled by making art and making music. That’s the coolest thing about Travis. He is so passionate about what he does that me being passionate about what I do… it connects us.” (Variety)

On Friday (October 3), The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards announced their 2025 winners, celebrating outstanding images captured over the past year in a ceremony held at the iconic Studios One and Two in London. The event honored legendary photographer David Bailey, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for six decades of music photography featuring iconic images of Elton John, Alice Cooper, and Nile Rodgers. Anton Corbijn, whose career features stylish work with Depeche Mode, U2, David Bowie, and Nirvana, was awarded the Icon Award, with the artist receiving tributes from members of Metallica and the Killers, with Nick Cave saying, “You have spent your career making me more handsome and interesting than I actually am. Your work continues to fascinate and inspire us all.”

The ceremony also recognized rising talents including Jordan Curtis Hughes for his photo of the 1975’s Matty Healy and Kirby Gladstein’s image of Lana Del Rey arriving at Coachella awarded Music Moment of the Year. The winning and nominated works – chosen from over 20,000 submissions from 30 countries – will be exhibited at London’s Royal Albert Hall from October 22 to November 3, featuring a free public viewing on October 25. (Rolling Stone)

During her headlining set at the Austin City Limits Festival on Saturday night (October 4), Sabrina Carpenter surprised fans by bringing out Shania Twain to perform a duet of the country superstar’s 1998 hit, “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Carpenter had previously covered Twain’s Top 10 smash throughout her Short n’ Sweet Tour, and she introduced the collaboration by announcing to the crowd: “I thought it’d be fun to give you guys a little gift tonight. Give you a little present because you all showed up and showed out for all of us. Will you please make the most noise in the world for the incredible, one and only Shania Twain?” This live pairing marked a memorable reunion for Twain and Carpenter, following the duo’s acoustic rendition of “Santa Baby” during Sabrina’s 2024 Netflix holiday special, A Nonsense Christmas. Carpenter will return for a second ACL headlining show this weekend, and is set to make her Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday (October 7). (Rolling Stone)

The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, claiming its second total week atop the list. The music companion for the hit Netflix animated film first reached the No. 1 spot on the September 20 chart, and has been a fixture inside the top two places on the tally for the past 10 weeks in a row. This was a strong week for debuts in the Top 10, with five total premieres in the top tier, the most since the July 26 chart when there were also five debuts. Doja Cat’s Vie launched at No. 4, the fourth Top 10 album of the pop star's career, while Young Thug’s UY SCUTI bowed at No. 6. Mariah Carey’s Here for It All debuts at No. 7, marking the 19th Top 10 album of her legendary career. Carey becomes only the third woman with at least one new Top 10-charting album in the 1990s, 2000s, ‘10s, and ‘20s, joining Madonna and Shania Twain.

Closing out the run of debuts, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving launches at No. 8, and P1Harmony’s EX arrives at No. 9. The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by a series of former chart-toppers, as Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem rises one spot to reach No. 2, while last week’s No. 1, Cardi B’s AM I THE DRAMA?, falls two slots to No. 3. Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend drops one place to No. 5, and Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS remains at No. 10. (Billboard)