Music News

In their first collective WeVerse stream in almost three years, BTS confirmed their reunion and shared plans for a new group album and world tour in 2026. “We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music,” BTS shared. “Since it will be a group album, it will reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas. We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are.” This announcement comes after a lengthy hiatus that allowed members to fulfill their mandatory military service in South Korea and pursue solo projects. In addition to the reunion news, BTS’ record label Big Hit announced on Monday (June 30) that the first-ever live album from the K-pop group is arriving on July 18. Permission to Dance On Stage — Live will feature live performances of their hits, including Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers “Dynamite” and “Butter,” recorded on BTS’ 2021-2022 Permission to Dance On Stage Tour. (Rolling Stone)

At the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Monday night (June 30), Katy Perry brought the 15-date Australian leg of her tour to an emotional close. The pop superstar finished the show in tears, following her recent split from Orlando Bloom. “Thank you for always being there for me, Australia. It means the world,” Perry said as her eyes welled up with tears and her voice cracked slightly, before adding, “Now let’s sing ‘Firework!'” Reports of Perry’s split from Bloom surfaced last week, and in the following days it was reported that the couple ended their engagement after nine years together. In August 2020, the couple welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove. Despite these personal challenges, Perry remains committed to her ongoing Lifetimes Tour, with the North American leg kicking off on July 10 in Denver. The massive tour concludes in early December, after a total of 89 shows around the world. (Rolling Stone)

While attending the Glastonbury music festival on Saturday (June 28), Harry Styles was spotted kissing a mystery woman in the VIP section in video footage obtained by The Sun.  The woman has now been identified as producer Ella Kenny, with Styles spotted dancing and making out with her while in the middle of a crowd. This public display of affection with Kenny follows Styles' previous high-profile relationships with actressess Taylor Russell and Olivia Wilde in recent years. The Grammy-winning singer concluded his successful Love on Tour in 2023, though Styles continues to make headlines with a series of surprise public appearances as of late. He was seen in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on May 8 to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, as well as participating in the Tokyo marathon back in March, where the musician finished ahead of over 20,000 runners with his sub-3:30 race time. (People)

In an Instagram post on Monday (June 30), Lorde opened up about the challenges of creating her new album, Virgin, after the record had been out for three days. The Grammy-winning pop superstar singled out "Favourite Daughter" as the toughest to write, produce, and sing. The track, which Lorde admits “Kicked my ass,” delves into her complex relationship with her mother, the poet Sonja Yelich. Lorde shared a series of insights about various tracks on the album, revealing that the record-closing tune, “David,” was the “First song started (and second to last finished),” while “Clearblue” was the “Last song started,” and “Broken Glass” was the final song she finished for the album. She also disclosed that she removed a favorite song of hers from the tracklist last minute, but hinted at the possibility of releasing it as a B-side in the future, teasing the existence of a “Couple really good B sides knocking around actually.” Lorde will launch her Ultrasound World Tour on September 17 in Austin, Texas. (Billboard)

Sabrina Carpenter's charitable fund under the nonprofit PLUS1 has raised over $1 million in just 12 months, making it the organization's fastest-growing artist initiative. The Sabrina Carpenter Fund supports causes close to the pop superstar’s heart, including mental health advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and animal welfare support. Carpenter integrates fundraising into various aspects of her career, such as dedicating a portion of ticket sales to her causes, and collaborating on charity projects with brands like Erewhon and Catbird. PLUS1 founder Marika Anthony-Shaw, the former viola player in Arcade Fire, established the organization after seeing the impact from the band’s ticket sales donations towards Haiti relief following the devastating 2010 earthquake. “Sabrina’s approach to philanthropy shows what’s possible when an artist truly commits to embedding impact across their work,” Anthony-Shaw said in a statement. “Sabrina is setting a new standard, one where social impact becomes woven into an artist’s career to create meaningful, lasting change.” (Rolling Stone)

During a recent concert, Gavin Adcock blasted Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning Best Country Album, Cowboy Carter, during an onstage rant. In fan-captured video footage of the incident, the country star takes issue with albums that currently outrank his own on Apple Music’s country albums chart. “One of them’s Beyoncé — you can tell her we’re coming for her f—in’ a–,” Adcock said, before adding, “That sh– ain’t country music and it ain’t ever been country music, and it ain’t gonna be country music.” Adcock took to Instagram on Monday (June 30) to share a video statement clarifying his remarks. “I’m gonna go ahead and clear this up,” he says. “I really don’t believe that her album should be labeled as country music. It doesn’t sound country, it doesn’t feel country, and I just don’t think that people that have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and this lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album just stay at the top, just because she’s Beyoncé.” (Billboard)

Miley Cyrus' visual companion to her latest album, Something Beautiful, will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on July 16 in the United States and Canada, and on July 30 internationally. The film, directed by Cyrus, Jacob Bixenman, and Brendan Walter, made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, which was followed by limited screenings in movie theaters. Cyrus is not embarking on a full-scale tour in support of Something Beautiful in order to focus on her sobriety along with her vocal and mental health, but she did perform some intimate shows at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles around the album release, and also made a surprise appearance alongside Beyoncé at a recent Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Paris to perform their Grammy-winning duet, "II Most Wanted." Something Beautiful, Cyrus' ninth album, features hits like "More to Lose," "End of the World," and the title track, and serves as the follow-up to her Grammy-winning 2023 album, Endless Summer Vacation. (Consequence of Sound)

Charli XCX is hitting back at critics of her Glastonbury performance on Saturday night (June 28), who were dismissive of her reliance on autotune while denouncing her for not using a traditional band on stage. “Really enjoying these boomer vibe comments on my glastonbury performance. it’s super fascinating to me,” she wrote in a social media screed, where she continued: “Like the idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud or that not having a traditional band suddenly means you must not be a “real artist” is like, the most boring take ever. yawn sorry just fell asleep xx.” While Charli is clearly tired of defending her performing style and sound, the Brat star went on to admit, “I enjoy the discourse.  imo the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture.” Charli continues her Brat World Tour with a series of European summer festivals, including Roskilde, Sziget, ØYA, Way Out West, and more. (Consequence of Sound)

The trial of Sean Combs is now in the hands of the jury, as they began deliberation on Monday (June 30) on the charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution against the disgraced music mogul. The process is expected to take several days. If convicted, Combs faces a possible life sentence for racketeering, a minimum of 15 years for sex trafficking, and a maximum of 10 years for transportation to engage in prostitution. The judge commended both the defense attorneys and federal prosecutors for their "great lawyering" at the end of the seven-week trial, stating that “the case was really exceptionally tried by both sides.” The trial saw lengthy closing arguments, with the prosecution portraying Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise, while the defense claimed that his activities were part of a consensual "swingers lifestyle." (Variety)

During her headlining, festival-closing set at Glastonbury on Sunday night (June 29), Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans by bringing out The Cure's legendary frontman, Robert Smith, during her set, where they performed his classic hits, "Friday I'm in Love" and "Just Like Heaven." “He’s perhaps the best songwriter to come out of England,” Rodrigo said enthusiastically while introducing Smith. “He is a Glastonbury legend and a personal hero of mine. Would you please welcome, Robert Smith!” This marked Rodrigo's first time headlining the Pyramid Stage, and she delivered a triumphant performance full of her current hits and early singles, with the Grammy-winning pop star blown away by the support from the massive crowd. “This is the most people I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” she said as she took the moment in. “This is a dream come true, I actually can’t believe this is my life right now.” Rodrigo concludes the U.K. leg of her Guts World Tour with a two-night stand in Manchester on June 30-July 1. (Variety)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” remains at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as his first career leader adds a fourth week atop the chart. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Cardi B’s new single “Outside” debuts at No. 10, becoming the Grammy-winning rapper's 13th career Top 10 hit. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen claims his sixth week with at least three simultaneous Hot 100 Top 10s this year, surpassing Kendrick Lamar for the most such weeks in 2025. The country superstar’s duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” rises one spot to No. 2, while his single “Just in Case,” remains at No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” moves up one slot to No. 5, as his chart-topping album of the same name spends its sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 features Sabrina Carpenter’s new single,“Manchild,” dropping one spot to No. 3, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” falling one spot to No. 6, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” holding at No. 7, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” remains at No. 8, and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” stays at No. 9. (Billboard)

LL Cool J delves into the birth and evolution of rap in New York City in the new trailer for the upcoming docuseries, Hip-Hop Was Born Here. The five-part show features interviews with rap luminaries such as Method Man, Grandmaster Caz, Roxanne Shante, and Big Daddy Kane, while providing a historical and musical tour of the five boroughs, showcasing how the city shaped the genre. The trailer features LL visiting the birthplace of hip-hop, with the rap legend making a pilgrimage to the Bronx park where DJ Kool Herc set up his equipment and threw his groundbreaking first parties. Other NYC-centric stories will be featured in each episode, while also exploring the global impact of rap music. Hip-Hop Was Born Here will premiere on July 22 on Paramount+, with the docuseries hosted, executive produced, and co-created by LL Cool J, in collaboration with NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. (Rolling Stone)

Dua Lipa continued the U.K. leg of her Radical Optimism Tour by covering a pair of legendary local artists during her recent shows in England and Ireland. Lipa performed the Beatles' classic, “Hey Jude,” during her stadium show at Anfield in Liverpool on June 25, and covered the Zutons’ “Valerie” – which was popularized by the late Amy Winehouse – with the Liverpudlian rock group’s singer Dave McCabe the night before. Lipa then paid a touching tribute to the late Sinéad O'Connor by performing her Billboard No. 1 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday night (June 27). “Tonight, I am honored to perform a song by a late Irish legend,” Lipa said before her emotional rendition of the Prince-penned classic. This continues Lipa’s trend of covering hometown artists during stops on her tour – performing hits from AC/DC, Lorde, and Kylie Minogue on the Australian/New Zealand leg – while also collaborating with local stars Charli XCX and Jamiroquai's Jay Kay during her recent London shows at Wembley Stadium. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA have broken the touring record previously held by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as the duo’s ongoing Grand National Tour is officially the highest-grossing co-headline tour of all-time. Kendrick and SZA just completed the North American leg of their tour, which grossed $256.4 million from 1.1 million tickets sold over the course of 23 shows. The Grand National Tour surpassed the total gross of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run II Tour by a 1% margin. While Bey and Jay still hold the co-headlining record with 2.2 million tickets sold, there is potential for Lamar and SZA to surpass them in total tickets sold by the end of the tour, which continues with a series of European dates beginning in July. In addition to this milestone, Lamar also just announced a Latin American leg of the Grand National Tour which will take place without SZA, as the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper will perform in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, with opening acts Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso. (AV Club)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem spends a sixth straight week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. I’m the Problem earned 177,000 units over the past week, netting the largest total for an album in its sixth week on the chart since Adele’s 25 earned 363,000 in its sixth week in January 2016. Three new releases debut in the current Billboard 200 Top 10, as Benson Boone’s American Heart lands at No. 2, marking his highest-charting album and biggest week of his career, while Karol G notches her third career Top 10 album with the No. 3 arrival of Tropicoqueta, and the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack enters at No. 8, becoming the first soundtrack released in 2025 to reach the Top 10, and the highest-debuting soundtrack of the year. The rest of Top 10 is filled out by all former No. 1 albums, as SZA’s SOS holds at No. 4, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 5, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet stays at No. 6, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX rises one spot to No. 7, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album is steady at No. 9, and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U sticks at No. 10. (Billboard)

During Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour stop in her hometown of Houston on Saturday night (June 28), the airborne car she rides in during her performance of “16 Carriages” experienced a technical mishap, visibly tilting mid-air and causing the singer to stop the track mid-song. Despite the alarming moment – which was caught on fan-shot footage shared on social media – Beyoncé was eventually lowered to safety and continued the song and finished the show. She reassured the hometown audience at NRG Stadium upon her return to the stage by saying, “If ever I fall, I know ya’ll catch me.” Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment released a statement shared to their Instagram Story which reads: “Tonight in Houston, at NRG Stadium, a technical mishap caused the flying car, a prop Beyonce uses to circle the stadium, and see her fans up close, to tilt. She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident.” Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour continued with another performance at NRG Stadium on Sunday (June 29). (Billboard)

Brandy and Monica made an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday (June 25), and the Grammy-winning singers confirmed their plans to collaborate on new music alongside their upcoming joint tour. They duo just announced The Boy Is Mine Tour, a 24-date trek which is set to begin on October 16 in Cincinnati and concludes on December 7 in Houston, with support coming from Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and Jamal Roberts. “It opens the door, for sure,” Brandy said of the tour inspiring them to make new music together. Host Jimmy Fallon suggested they could have a studio on their tour bus, while Monica quickly dismissed that idea. “No, we’re not doing the studio tour bus. We’re seasoned women. We need proper rest, alright?” She added, “So what we’re going to do is just be smart about it. We’ll start working on the music immediately, and then we can just be promoting it while we’re on the road.” (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (June 25), Cardi B took to social media to explain her decision to include the popular singles "WAP" and "Up" on her forthcoming album, Am I the Drama?, despite the songs first being released back in 2020 and 2021, respectively. “This will be the last and only time I’m gonna address this,” the Grammy-winning rapper started, “WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs, my fans have been asking me to put them on an album, they deserve a home. At this point I’m giving my fans what they want!” “WAP,” Cardi’s first collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending four weeks atop the chart, while "Up" also reached No. 1, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance in 2022. On June 20, the rapper shared her new single, "Outside," which will also be included on Am I the Drama? when it drops on September 19. (People)

Lorde shared an Instagram Story on Thursday (June 26) that seemingly confirms that she will be performing a secret set at Glastonbury 2025. Lorde's post features an aerial photo of the festival’s Woodsies tent, which conspicuously has an unannounced slot remaining at 11:30 a.m. on Friday (June 27), which coincides with the release day of her highly-anticipated fourth album, Virgin. Lorde previously expressed interest in returning to the festival during a recent BBC Radio 2 interview, with the two-time Grammy winner responding to a question about playing Glasto by hinting, “I’m pretty keen, honestly, ‘cause the album’s gonna be coming out right around that time. I am quite tempted by what’s going on because I’ve got lots of friends playing as well. We’ll see if I can pull some strings and get there.” Other rumored secret sets at Glastonbury 2025 include acts like Lewis Capaldi, Haim, Pulp, and Chappell Roan, with the festival set to be headlined by The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo. (NME)

Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson's cause of death was revealed in the Los Angeles County Department of Health's death certificate, which disclosed that “respiratory arrest” was the primary cause, with sepsis and cystitis listed as contributing factors. The certificate also revealed additional health issues at the time of Wilson's passing, including obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory failure, and a neurodegenerative disorder. Wilson's family had previously shared his battle with dementia in February 2024. Wilson's death on June 11 left fans and the music world mourning the loss of a musical genius, with the Beach Boys paying tribute to his legacy by writing at the time: “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of the Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.” (Rolling Stone)

After nine years together, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have officially ended their engagement. The famous couple first met at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2016, and briefly split in 2017 before getting back together the following year. The couple revealed that they were engaged in 2019, with Perry describing the moment to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel: “It was very sweet. It was Valentine’s Day … we went to dinner, and I thought we were going to go see some art after dinner, but we pulled up to a helicopter. We landed on a rooftop [in Los Angeles] — my whole family was there, and all my friends. He did so well.” The couple welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in August 2020. Bloom also has a 14-year-old son, Flynn, from his previous marriage to Miranda Kerr. Neither Perry nor Bloom has commented on the status of their relationship, and their reps have not issued a public comment. (Rolling Stone)

During Louis Vuitton's ‘Spring/Summer 2026’ fashion show in Paris on Tuesday (June 24), Doechii and Tyler, the Creator previewed their upcoming Pharrell-produced collaboration. “Get Right.” This marks the two Grammy-winning rappers second partnership, following their 2024 joint track, "Balloon," from Tyler’s Billboard 200 chart-topping album, Chromakopia. Doechii worked closely with Pharrell, Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director, on her H-to-T LV look that she wore to the 2025 Met Gala. Doechii also served as one of the members of the costume institute benefit’s host committee, while Pharrell served as one of the co-chairs. The soundtrack for the runway show also featured Pharrell's production of Clipse's “So Be It Pt. II,” as guests like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, J-Hope, and Future occupied the front row. After the show, Pharrell presented Beyoncé – who just finished a three-night run at Paris’ Stade de France on her Cowboy Carter Tour – with a bag fresh off the runway. (Billboard)

Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans at her sold-out show in Dublin's Marlay Park on Tuesday night (June 24) by performing a cover of Fontaines D.C.’s “I Love You.” Rodrigo’s Ireland show was part of her ongoing Guts World Tour, and served as a warm-up for her largest U.K. gig to date, a sold-out headline show at London’s Hyde Park on Friday (June 27),  which will be followed by her highly-anticipated headlining slot at Glastonbury on Sunday night. “Lately I’ve been obsessed with this band Fontaines D.C.,” Rodrigo told the audience, paying tribute to the Grammy-nominated, Dublin-based rock band. “I’ve been playing this song alone in my room for fun, and I was wondering if it’d be cool if I played it for you guys.” Rodrigo performed her stripped-down version solo at the start, before eventually being joined by her full backing band, as the track built to an emotional climax. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (June 25), Sabrina Carpenter unveiled an alternate cover for her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend, amid the controversy surrounding the original provocative image on her record cover. The new black and white photograph – shot by Bryce Anderson, who also took the original cover photo – features Carpenter standing close to a man in a suit, offering a less controversial option to fans and critics alike. The Grammy-winning pop star made light of the uproar in the caption to her post, writing “i signed some copies of Man’s Best Friend for you guys & here is a new alternate cover approved by God available now on my website 🤍.” Additionally, Carpenter also revealed her second drink collaboration with Dunkin’ Donuts, “Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher,” in a playful ad campaign by photographer/director Nadia Lee Cohen that showcases the singer as a charming “Daydream Matchmaker” who answers vintage-style hotline calls. (Variety)

On Saturday (June 21), lifelong Dodgers fan Ice Cube was honored with his very own bobblehead day during a game at Dodgers Stadium. Despite the home team’s loss to the Washington Nationals, the event drew a record-breaking attendance of 54,154 fans, surpassing the previous attendance record for the 2025 season. The bobblehead features the hip-hop legend sporting a matching Dodgers jersey and jacket with the team’s branding. In addition to the limited-edition collectible, an Ice Cube-themed drone show was organized by the Dodgers to honor the rapper. While Ice Cube couldn’t attend the event himself, TMZ caught up with the N.W.A.-alum at the airport. “It felt great,” Cube said of the bobblehead tribute. “Amazing — something I never expected to have. Sorry I can’t be there.” Cube performed before Game 2 of the 2024 World Series, with the Dodgers ultimately winning the championship against the Yankees, and he brought the World Series trophy into the stadium during opening day of the 2025 season. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at a benefit concert in Nashville on Tuesday night (June 24), with the music superstar performing "Shake It Off" on an acoustic guitar at the 1,200 capacity Brooklyn Bowl. The impromptu performance took place at the end of Kane Brown's set, stunning the audience and delighting fans who had gathered for the 'Tight Ends & Friends' charity event, which was hosted by Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Swift used a guitar she borrowed from Chase Rice, who performed earlier that evening, playing a stripped-down version of her lead single from her Grammy-winning album, 1989. She took a moment mid-song to praise Brown’s contribution to her performance, “Honestly, have you ever seen a tambourine played like this? This is fantastic work over here by Mr. Kane Brown.” Brown later shared a photo of him with Swift and Kelce on Instagram, joking in the caption, “When you think you’re the special guest BUT you’re not 😂.” This impromptu performance marks Swift's first live appearance since The Eras Tour wrapped up in December. (Variety) 

Bobby Sherman, a top teen idol of the late 1960s and early '70s, has passed away at the age of 81 after battling kidney cancer. The sad news was announced by his wife, Brigitte Poublon, on Instagram on Tuesday (June 24). “It is with the heaviest heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Bobby Sherman,” she wrote. “And though our family feels his loss profoundly, we also feel the warmth of his legacy—his voice, his laughter, his music, his mission. Thank you to every fan who ever sang along, who ever sent love his way. He felt it.” Sherman rose to fame starring in the hit ABC TV series, Here Come the Brides, which ran from 1968 to 1970. Sherman's music career was marked by a run of chart-topping success in the span of only two and a half years, which featured a string of gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits, “Little Woman,” “La La La (If I Had You),” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me.” Sherman also had three Top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 – Bobby Sherman, Here Comes Bobby and With Love – which were all certified gold. Bobby is survived by his wife, sons Tyler and Christopher, and six grandchildren. (Billboard)

Brandy and Monica just announced that they are launching their first-ever co-headlining The Boy Is Mine Tour, with special guests Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and American Idol winner Jamal Roberts. The 24-date arena tour kicks off in Cincinnati on October 16, and includes stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn, before concluding in Houston on December 7. The tour is named after their iconic 1998 duet, “The Boy Is Mine,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks, earning them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. In 2024, Brandy and Monica teamed up with Ariana Grande for “The Boy Is Mine (Remix),” which scored them a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.“This really is a full-circle moment,” Brandy said in a statement. “To share the stage all these years later is bigger than a reunion—it’s a celebration of growth, sisterhood, and the love our fans have given us from day one.” Presale for the tour begins on Thursday (June 26), with general on-sale starting Friday (June 27). (Variety)

In the new trailer for the upcoming Netflix competition series, Building the Band, the late Liam Payne is shown offering guidance and encouragement to aspiring musicians. The show, which is set to premiere on July 9 and will be hosted by AJ McLean (Backstreet Boys), blends elements of The Voice and Love Is Blind, and features singers blindly selecting potential band members based on their vocal talent alone. The competitors will be advised by star mentor Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls), along with guest judges Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) and the late One Direction singer. Despite Payne's unexpected death, the show will go on as planned, showcasing his insights and advice to contestants as they compete for the chance to be crowned the winner. Recording for the series was completed in July 2024, four months before Payne’s tragic death. Netflix initially halted production on the show, only setting a premiere date after Payne’s family approved footage from the series. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (June 24), the prosecution rested its case in the high-profile Sean Combs trial, where the disgraced entertainment mogul is accused of five felony charges of sex-trafficking and racketeering. The defense team has announced that they don’t plan to call any witnesses, with Combs choosing not to testify in his own defense. The court has seen six weeks of witness testimonies, emotional accounts from three alleged sexual-abuse victims, and a mountain of evidence presented by the prosecution, including documentation of a series of alleged "freak-offs" with Combs' ex-girlfriends and an array of male escorts. Combs' defense team confirmed that they do not plan to call any live witnesses and will rely only on introducing exhibits before resting their case. The trial is expected to conclude before the July Fourth holiday, with jurors potentially beginning deliberations as soon as Friday. Combs faces life in prison if convicted. (Rolling Stone)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” reclaims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, one week after being knocked off the top spot by Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” In addition to Warren claiming his third total week topping the Hot 100, “Ordinary” also becomes his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart, while spending a fourth week at No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay tally and a second week at No. 1 on Pop Airplay, while also cracking the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart with its No. 9 peak. Meanwhile, Carpenter’s “Manchild” – her second career chart-topper –  drops one spot to No. 2 this week.

Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, sticks at No. 3, with the country superstar’s “Just in Case” holding at No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” remaining at No. 6, with all three hits included on Wallen’s I’m the Problem, the No. 1 album in the country for the fifth week running. This also marks Wallen’s fifth week charting at least three simultaneous Top 10 hits this year, matching Kendrick Lamar for the most. The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” holding at No. 5, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” stays at No. 7, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” sticks at No. 8, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” keeps at No. 9, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” remains at No. 10. (Billboard)

On Monday (June 23), Reneé Rapp announced dates and details of her 2025 Bite Me Tour, which will hit up arenas and amphitheaters this fall. The 17-date North American jaunt is set to kick off on September 23 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, stopping in major music markets like Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, before winding down on October 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rapp’s self-professed “my favorites” Syd and Ravyn Lenae will open select dates on the tour. Rapp’s upcoming dates include a headlining appearance at Toronto’s inaugural All Things Go festival on October 4, where she will be joined by fellow headliners Kacey Musgraves, Role Model, and Remi Wolf. Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday (June 27), preceded by an artist presale on Thursday (June 26). The tour is in support of Rapp’s forthcoming new album, Bite Me, which is set to be released on August 1, and features lead single, “Leave Me Alone.” (Rolling Stone)

On Sunday (June 22), one day after celebrating her 40th birthday, Lana Del Rey took to Instagram to announce the opening acts for her U.K. and Ireland stadium tour. Lana revealed that London Grammar, BANKS, and Addison Rae will join her on select dates of the run, which is set to kick off this week. London Grammar provided support on the opening night of the tour on Monday (June 23) at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, while BANKS will be the special guest opening act for three dates – June 26 in Glasgow, June 28 in Liverpool, and June 30 in Dublin – and Rae is set to open both highly-anticipated shows at London’s Wembley Stadium on July 3 and 4. Del Rey excitedly captioned her post, “Lettttts go!,” while also sharing glimpses of her birthday celebration, and adding, “So excited to see everybody starting tomorrow on tour and for all the folks joining us. Truly thank you thank you love you.” (Billboard)

On Monday (June 23), Maroon 5 announced the details of their upcoming eighth studio album, Love Is Like, which is set to be released on August 15 via Interscope. The band also revealed that the record will be accompanied by a 23-date U.S. arena tour, which kicks-off on July 11 in Endicott, N.Y., hitting major music markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Nashville, Houston, Chicago, and New York City, before finishing up on November 25 in Detroit. Claire Rosinkranz will be the opening act for the entire tour. A fan club presale begins on June 25, with general onsale starting on June 27. The band also dropped their latest single, “All Night,” on Monday, with a music video arriving on Thursday (June 26). While the official tracklist for Love Is Like hasn’t been shared yet, it will include the new single as well as the recent collaboration with Lisa of BLACKPINK, “Priceless,” which debuted at No. 76 on the Billboard Hot 100. (Billboard)

Seven years after her Grammy-winning debut album Invasion Of Your Privacy, Cardi B has announced the upcoming release of her highly-anticipated sophomore record. The rapper revealed that her new album Am I The Drama? will arrive on September 19th. Cardi shared the album cover on social media, which depicts her posing amid a flock of crows. In an Instagram post, Cardi expressed her eagerness for the album's release, saying "The time is here. The time is now." She recently informed fans that she had delivered the completed album to her label. Last week, Cardi premiered the new single "Outside" during a performance at the Cannes Lions festival, which includes references to her ex-husband Offset and her current partner, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The album's release comes after Cardi has dropped numerous singles and guest features over the past several years. (Variety)

During the final show of her three-night stand at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday (June 22), Beyoncé was joined by her husband, Jay-Z, who made an appearance at her Cowboy Carter Tour for the first time. The couple sang “Crazy in Love” together – marking the first time they performed together since 2018 – followed by Jay-Z performing “Ni**as in Paris,” which featured the rapper altering the lyrics to reference his wife instead of the original mention of Kanye West. Beyoncé also treated the crowd – which included  her mother, Tina Knowles, as well as Cardi B and Kelly Rowland in the V.I.P. section – to a mashup of “Drunk in Love” and “Partition," the first time she has performed those two hits on this tour. During Friday night’s show, Beyoncé brought out Miley Cyrus for the debut live performance of their Cowboy Carter collaboration, “II Most Wanted.” Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour continues with two homecoming shows at Houston’s NRG Stadium on June 28-29. (Rolling Stone)

On Saturday (June 21), Morgan Wallen made an impressive entrance during the second night of his I'm the Problem Tour stop in Houston, walking out with rap superstar Drake and baseball legend Roger Clemens at NRG Stadium. This surprise walk out followed a similar moment during Wallen's Friday show, where he was joined by NFL legend Andre Johnson and businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale before his show at the home of the Houston Texans. Wallen shared the moment in an Instagram video, captioning his post, “all summer long.” The star-studded, pre-show walk out has become a signature of Wallen's live shows, with previous guests including Travis Kelce, Tom Brady, Mike Tyson, and the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team. These shows kick-off Wallen’s 20-date I’m the Problem Tour, which is in support of the country superstar’s Billboard No. 1 album, which has ruled the chart for five weeks straight. The tour is set to hit 10 cities throughout the U.S., and will run through September 13. (Billboard)

During an appearance on Today on Friday (June 20), Machine Gun Kelly confirmed that it was, in fact, Bob Dylan narrating his recent album announcement trailer for Lost Americana. “A magician never reveals his secrets,” MGK said about how the unlikely collaboration ultimately came together, before admitting that it was the result of “pure desperation. Just knocking on his door relentlessly, not going away.” MGK went on to praise Dylan and his involvement in the promotional video for his new album, which is due out August 8. “I have been blessed with… I don’t know, maybe it’s just one pioneer seeing something that I am doing that, in the long term, will be looked back [at] and be understood,” MGK said, before quickly clarifying: “Not calling myself a pioneer, but him.” Their improbable relationship developed from Dylan coming across an old video of MGK rapping, which led to an in-person meeting at the Hollywood Bowl stop on Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival in May. (Rolling Stone)

Cavin Yarbrough, one half of the chart-topping 1980s R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, passed away on Thursday (June 19) at the age of 72 due to complications from heart disease. “He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he’s my guardian angel,” Yarbrough’s wife and longtime music partner, Alisa Peoples, said in a statement. The group was known for their breakout hit, "Don't Stop the Music," which topped the R&B charts in 1981, and also reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Don’t Stop the Music” went on to become an RIAA gold-certified single, and was featured on the pair’s gold-certified debut album, The Two of Us, which also spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The duo also achieved commercial success with other hit songs like "Don’t Waste Your Time," "Heartbeats," "Guilty," and "I Wouldn't Lie." The duo was discovered by Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band, who in turn introduced them to Lonnie Simmons, who signed them to his Los Angeles-based label, Total Experience Records. (Billboard)

On Friday (June 20), Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent in a London courthouse. The singer is accused of attacking music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw with a tequila bottle in a nightclub in 2023. Brown is also facing two additional charges – for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and another for carrying an offensive weapon –  with his trial scheduled for October 2026 after a follow-up hearing on July 11. Released on $6.7 million bail after a brief jail stint in Manchester back in May, Brown has since resumed his summer world tour, which began with a series of U.K. and European dates, and is scheduled to arrive in North America in late July. Rapper HoodyBaby, Brown’s longtime friend and collaborator, was also charged in connection to the incident, and pleaded not guilty to the assault charge against him on Friday. (Rolling Stone)