Categoría: Billboard

Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.  Explore See latest videos, charts and news This week, Doja Cat travels in time, Young Thug makes up for lost time and Mariah Carey remains timeless. Check out all of this week’s picks below: Doja Cat, Vie  If you loved the pop fantasia at the heart of Planet Her more than the hard-charging rhymes of Scarlet, Vie, Doja Cat’s fifth studio album, will sound like an exciting return to form: translating her aesthetic to a synth-heavy 1980s pastiche and tapping Jack Antonoff to help render her vision, Doja sounds in top form with these widescreen hooks, with “Cards,” “Gorgeous” and “AAAHH MEN!” all begging to be played at top volume. Young Thug, UY SCUTI  The opening seconds of Young Thug’s long-awaited album UY SCUTI feature the voice of the prosecutor in his much-publicized RICO trial, describing the rapper as too dangerous to let out of federal custody; after addressing the elephant in the room, Thugger proceeds to spend 20 songs reasserting his place at the top of mainstream hip-hop after a prolonged absence, with Future, Cardi B, 21 Savage and Lil Baby among the many guest stars welcoming him home. Tate McRae, “Tit for Tat”  Capping off a breakthrough year that’s included her first No. 1 album, an arena headlining tour and a soundtrack hit with “Just Keep Watching,” Tate McRae stays prolific on “Tit for Tat,” an indignant kiss-off to an ex that will certainly keep the rumor mill active following the pop star’s breakup with The Kid LAROI — but also stands on its own as another simmering rhythmic pop track. Mariah Carey, Here For It All  With nothing left to prove decades into a legendary pop career, Mariah Carey remains too ambitious to rest on her laurels: Here For It All, her first new album since 2018’s Caution, is more urgent and entertaining than expected as a check-in with modern R&B, as Carey shines alongside guests like Anderson .Paak and Kehlani while also showcasing her continued power on solo cuts “Nothing is Impossible” and “My Love.” Olivia Dean, The Art of Loving  London singer-songwriter Olivia Dean has recently streaked into the Hot 100’s top 40 with breakout hit “Man I Need,” which acts as a handy preview of the sumptuous soul-pop featured on her second album, The Art of Loving: Dean makes complex arrangements effortless with her delicate tone, and the breezy “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” — which was co-written by studio pros Amy Allen, John Ryan and Max Wolfgang — sounds like a natural next hit. Rauw Alejandro, Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0  An official prequel to Rauw Alejandro’s Cosa Nuestra, which is currently nominated for album of the year at the Latin Grammys, Capítulo 0 continues the Puerto Rican superstar’s exploration of Caribbean music, often with a pulse-pounding tempo — this is an origin story that demands movement, and Alejandro sounds more comfortable than ever in the spotlight. 5 Seconds of Summer, “NOT OK”  What a treat to have 5 Seconds of Summer, one of the most consistently enjoyable pop-rock recording artists of the past decade, not only reunite with new music but still pushing their sound into new territory: “NOT OK,” a nervy and jangly alternative anthem, not only whets our appetite for more 5SOS material, but this one sounds primed to become a tambourine-shaking live staple. Editor’s Pick: Geese, Getting Killed  Arriving with a mountain of hype (and following frontman Cameron Winter’s wonderfully weird solo debut Heavy Metal last year), Geese’s third album exceeds expectations: Getting Killed finds the Brooklyn band morphing its style to make room for explosive noise and idiosyncratic song structures, landing on a sound that’s akin to Radiohead’s jazzier impulses mashed with Tom Waits’ shambolic poetry. The result: say hello to your new indie cult heroes. Source link

Halsey is staying transparent with fans about her health, sharing an update about recent chemotherapy treatments Thursday (Sept. 25) in a candid TikTok. The clip opens with the pop star chilling at home, noting that they wanted to “come on here to give you guys a speed round of updates” — the first of which had to do with Halsey’s ongoing battle with a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. “Just did another few sessions of chemo,” the musician tells the camera before showing a small device attached to her collarbone and chest area. “Got a new port placed.” Chemotherapy is a common way of treating lymphoproliferative disorders, according to Cleveland Clinic, and Halsey has previously been open about undergoing the intravenous procedure for her illness. The About-Face Beauty founder first revealed that they’d been diagnosed with the T-cell disorder, as well as lupus, in June 2024, and sang about experiencing severe health issues on album The Great Impersonator. Lymphoproliferative disorders are conditions that affect white blood cells, including cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Some affect people’s immune systems, while others involve the uncontrollable multiplication of abnormal lymphocytes, according to Cleveland Clinic. In the comments of her TikTok, Halsey discussed more about the side effects of chemo, sharing that it’s nearly impossible to even stand up “for like a week” after receiving the treatment. “You guys see me between treatment where I have energy,” they added. “The time flies by when I’m recovering so it doesn’t seem like as long, but it’s definitely a while.” Elsewhere in the video, the hitmaker talked about her upcoming birthday — “I’ve been so busy I honestly haven’t even thought about it at all,” shared Halsey, who will turn 31 on Sept. 29 — and gearing up to hit the road again this fall. After finishing up the For My Last Trick Tour in July, the Americana star announced plans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of debut album Badlands with a Back to Badlands trek kicking off Oct. 14. Watch Halsey’s update below. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up Source link

 Jelly Roll, BigXthaPlug, Ed Sheeran, Jessie Murph and Alex Warren are among the artists who will be taking part in iHeartMedia’s annual “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour” presented by Capital One. Explore See latest videos, charts and news The trek will also feature Conan Gray, Laufey, mgk, Monsta X, Myles Smith, Nelly, Olivia Dean, Ravyn Lenae, Reneé Rapp, Shinedown, The Kid LAROI, Zara Larsson and more. The trek will make stops in Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami and Washington, D.C. The tour stops will also be part of a network special on ABC, which will air in December and the following day on Hulu. “Now in its 30th year, the Jingle Ball Tour has become the premier holiday music event, where fans can see the biggest artists performing the best songs of the year,” John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises for iHeartMedia, and Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, said in a joint statement. “Once again we are partnering with ABC to bring this holiday tradition to even more fans across the country.” General public tickets go on sale Oct. 3 at 12 p.m. local time on iHeartRadio’s website. For a 12th year, nine cities on the tour will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids pediatric patients through entertainment and/or educational initiatives. iHeartRadio’s 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball in Dallas/Fort Worth will work with the Kidd’s Kids, an organization with the mission of creating uplifting memories for families of kids with life-altering or life-threatening conditions. Partners of this year’s national iHeartRadio Jingle Ball include presenting partner Capital One, Boost Mobile, JCPenney and Mercedes-Benz. The concert dates are below: Dec. 2: Dallas/Fort Worth – iHeartRadio 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Dickies Arena (Lineup: Alex Warren, Jessie Murph, mgk, Nelly, Reneé Rapp, Rachel Chinouriri, Shinedown, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters. Dec. 5: Los Angeles – iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Intuit Dome (Lineup: Alex Warren, Audrey Hobert, Conan Gray, Feid, Jackson Wang, Jessie Murph, The Kid LAROI, Leon Thomas, Reneé Rapp, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 8: Chicago – iHeartRadio 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Allstate Arena (Lineup: Audrey Hobert, Jessie Murph, Nelly, Ravyn Lenae, Reneé Rapp, Teddy Swims, Shinedown, Jackson Wang, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 9: Detroit – iHeartRadio Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Little Caesars Arena (Lineup: BigXthaPlug, Conan Gray, Jessie Murph, MOLIY, Nelly, Rachel Chinouriri, Ravyn Lenae, Shinedown, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 12: New York – iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Madison Square Garden (Lineup: Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Conan Gray, Ed Sheeran, Jessie Murph, Laufey, Monsta X, Myles Smith, Nelly, Ravyn Lenae, Reneé Rapp, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 14: Boston – iHeartRadio Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ TD Garden (Lineup: Ed Sheeran, Laufey, MOLIY, Myles Smith, Olivia Dean, Ravyn Lenae, Sean Paul, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 15: Philadelphia – iHeartRadio Q102’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Xfinity Mobile Arena (Lineup: AJR, Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Laufey, Monsta X, Myles Smith, Ravyn Lenae, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 16: Washington, D.C. – iHeartRadio HOT 99.5’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Capital One Arena (Lineup: AJR, Alex Warren, Conan Gray, Jelly Roll, Laufey, Monsta X, Myles Smith, Nelly, Olivia Dean, Shinedown, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Dec. 18: Atlanta – iHeartRadio 96.1 The Beat’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ State Farm Arena (Lineup: BigXthaPlug, Jermaine Dupri & Friends, Kehlani, Lil Jon & Friends, Mariah The Scientist, MOLIY and Nelly.) Dec. 20: Miami – iHeartRadio Y100.7’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented by Capital One @ Kaseya Center (Lineup: BigXthaPlug, Feid, Kehlani, mgk, Monsta X, Nelly, Zara Larsson and a sing-along moment for KPOP Demon Hunters.) Source link

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” is now the sole longest-leading hit ever on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart as it adds a record-rewriting 15th week at No. 1 on the list dated Oct. 4. The song surpasses Ace of Base’s “The Sign,” which ran up its 14-week reign consecutively from February through March 1994, for the longest No. 1 stay since the ranking began in October 1992. “Ordinary,” on Atlantic Records, first topped Pop Airplay in June and has led for all but one week since; Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” interrupted its No. 1 run earlier in September. The Pop Airplay chart ranks songs by weekly plays on more than 150 mainstream top 40 radio stations monitored by Mediabase, with data provided to Billboard by Luminate. Here’s a look at the longest leading Pop Airplay hits, all enduring smashes, from bops to ballads, over the chart’s 33-year history: 15 weeks at No. 1, “Ordinary,” Alex Warren, beginning June 21, 2025 14, “The Sign,” Ace of Base, Feb. 12, 1994 13, “Stay,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, Sept. 4, 2021 11, “Closer,” The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey, Oct. 8, 2016 11, “Over and Over,” Nelly feat. Tim McGraw, Nov. 6, 2004 11, “Torn,” Natalie Imbruglia, April 25, 1998 11, “I Love You Always Forever,” Donna Lewis, Aug. 31, 1996 11, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, Dec. 9, 1995 “Ordinary” previously dominated the all-genre, multimetric Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks and finished at No. 1 on the Songs of the Summer chart. Among its other coronations, it led the Billboard Global 200 for 10 weeks and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. for eight frames. Warren recently discussed the song’s mass appeal with Billboard, saying, “When you write a song, you want it to apply to as many people as possible.” All charts dated Oct. 4 will update Tuesday, Sept. 30, on Billboard.com. It’s free Billboard charts month! Through Sept. 30, subscribers to Billboard’s Chart Beat newsletter, emailed each Friday, can unlock access to Billboard’s weekly and historical charts, artist chart histories and all Chart Beat stories simply by visiting the newly redesigned Billboard.com through any story link in the newsletter. Not a Chart Beat subscriber? Sign up for free here. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up Source link

Billboard ranks every song off Mimi’s first studio album in seven years, ‘Here for It All.’ 9/26/2025 Mariah Carey Ethan James Green* Mariah Carey is here for all the triumphant and turbulent times on her 16th studio album Here for It All, which dropped on Friday (Sept. 26) via gamma. On her first album in seven years, she turns up the braggadocio on “Mi” and “Type Dangerous,” luxuriates in confections on “Sugar Sweet” (featuring Shenseea and Kehlani) and “Confetti and Champagne,” and gives glory to the Highest One on “Jesus I Do” (featuring The Clark Sisters) and the closing title track. Since 2018’s Caution, she’s kept her finger on the pulse of the hottest singles by hopping on remixes of Latto’s “Big Energy” (which flips Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love,” like her own “Fantasy” did), Ariana Grande’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Yes, And?” and Muni Long’s “Made For Me.” She’s also released anniversary editions of past albums on an almost yearly basis, including The Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition) earlier this year. And while she still doesn’t subscribe to the passage of time, Carey’s latest addition to her legendary catalog showcases a tried-and-true auteur who’s not concerned with chasing charting hits or critical praise (because she’s had more of both than most artists will get in their entire lifetimes) but rather chasing the high of doing the thing she loves most and is best at. The elusive chanteuse’s new album was preceded by two singles: “Type Dangerous,” which samples Eric B. & Rakim‘s 1986 track “Eric B. Is President,” and “Sugar Sweet.” And the rollout for Here for It All has run parallel to the separate red carpet that’s been rolled out for Carey and the iconic career that’s gotten her to this point. In March, she received the Icon Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Then she performed “Type Dangerous” alongside Rakim and Anderson .Paak at the 2025 BET Awards in June, when she received her first BET Award ever: the Ultimate Icon Award. And earlier this month, she performed “Sugar Sweet” at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, when she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Carey still has nothing left to prove, but she insists on getting back in the booth and recording another reminder of who she is and why she gets to make such an eclectic, free-wheeling album 35 years in. Read Billboard‘s preliminary ranking of all 11 songs from MC’s Here for It All below. “Mi” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } “I don’t care about much if it ain’t about me/ Let the money talk first, conversations ain’t free/ I’m the D-I-V-A that’s MC” is a hell of a way to start the album. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee never ceases to find cheeky ways to position herself above the rest. However, the song’s subtle drill production and “I like my ice cold/ I like my wrist froze” line feel like contrived ways of conforming with the times, much like her appearance on Kai Cenat’s stream to promote the parent album. Sonically, “Mi” is a perplexing opener for an LP that spends the rest of its approximately 40-minute runtime paying homage to Philly soul, disco, soft rock and other nostalgic genres. “Confetti and Champagne” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } The trap-tinged “Confetti and Champagne” calls for an exquisite celebration but doesn’t quite live up to its title. It’s not as satiating as the album’s second single, “Sugar Sweet.” And her trademark whistle tone is awkwardly sprinkled into the second chorus. But her deliciously biting delivery of the “Cheers, cheers, cheers, cheers, cheers/ To me, not you, just me” line takes the cake. “In Your Feelings” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Carey confronts her reservations with a former flame who acts too hot and cold on “In Your Feelings,” which has .Paak’s retro touch all over it. Her hasty vocal pacing on the “I think you might be getting a little bit tooooooooo in your feeeeliiiiiiings” hook might throw listeners off. But when she lets her signature belting range rip right before the final chorus, it’s one of the few times on the project when MC brings out an old trick from up her sleeve — it just sounds much better on a power ballad like “Here for It All.” “Jesus I Do” (feat. The Clark Sisters) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } After proudly proclaiming “I was never all alone/ The spirit lives in my soul” on “Nothing is Impossible,” the spirit takes over Carey and The Clark Sisters on the funky gospel cut “Jesus I Do.” You can’t help but tap your feet to its thumping bassline or hum along to The Clark Sisters scatting “Jesus I dooooooo-oo-oo-ooo” or “Jesus I-I-I-I do!” Can I get an “Amen”? “My Love” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } },

The 2026 Grammy telecast is more than four months away, but the In Memoriam spot is already filling up. In fact, at least four music legends have died this year who could easily justify a separate spot on the show: Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, Sly Stone and Roberta Flack. (All four received lifetime achievement awards from the Recording Academy – Wilson as part of The Beach Boys; Osbourne as part of Black Sabbath.) In recent years, the Grammys have put an extra spotlight on one or more recently deceased artists per year, sometimes as part of the In Memoriam spot and sometimes apart from it. Last year, Quincy Jones got a six-song tribute. In 2024, the In Memoriam segment included extended tributes to Tony Bennett, Sinéad O’Connor, Clarence Avant and Tina Turner. In 2023, Loretta Lynn, Takeoff from Migos and Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac got extra shine in the In Memoriam spot, as did Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim the year before. In 2021, Little Richard, Kenny Rogers, John Prine and Gerry Marsden of Gerry & the Pacemakers got extra attention in the In Memoriam spot. (The latter group had a hit in 1965 with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which was a natural for the spot.) In 2020, Boyz II Men sang “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” in tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who had died in a helicopter crash the morning of the Grammy ceremony. The In Memoriam spot that year put extra focus on Nipsey Hussle and Dr. John. In addition to the four music legends named at the top of this article, the list of music greats who have died since the Grammy telecast on Feb. 2, 2024 includes songwriter Alan Bergman, who received a trustees award from the Recording Academy (the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award for behind-the-scenes talent) in 2013, along with his late wife, Marilyn Bergman. Eddie Palmieri and Lalo Schifrin were both honored by the Latin Recording Academy. Palmieri received a lifetime achievement award in 2013; Schifrin was voted a trustees award in 2017. Other noteworthy artists and behind-the-scenes talent who have died since the last Grammy telecast include Brett James, Bobby Hart, Jeannie Seely, Flaco Jimenez, Tom Lehrer, Cleo Laine, Chuck Mangione, Connie Francis, Bobby Sherman, Lou Christie, Rick Derringer, Charles Strouse, Johnny Rodriguez, Johnny Tillotson, Angie Stone, Alf Clausen and Robert John. The roster also includes numerous people best known for their work as part of groups, including Rick Davies of Supertramp, Mark Volman of The Turtles, Clem Burke of Blondie, Jesse Colin Young of The Youngbloods, David Johansen of New York Dolls, Chris Jasper of The Isley Brothers, Brent Hinds of Mastodon, Bobby Whitlock of Derek and the Dominos, Walter Scott Jr. of The Whispers, Mick Ralphs of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr, Michael Sumler of Kool & the Gang, D’Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Tone!, and Les Binks of Judas Priest. That is by no means a list of everyone of note who has died this year. For a fuller list, go here. Award show producers are perennially criticized for leaving people out of the In Memoriam roll, but as you can see, there are always many names to contend with and only so much time in the spot. Not everybody can make it unless the segment runs for 25 minutes – in which people would complain the show was too long. Who do you think will get extra love on the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 1? Osbourne, Wilson and Sly Stone seem like sure things, but we hope Flack isn’t overlooked just because she died so long ago (on Feb. 24, just three weeks after last year’s show). Flack made Grammy history in 1974, becoming the first artist to win back-to-back awards for record of the year. Andra Day sang Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song” on the BET Awards on June 9. (On that same show, Brittney Spencer performed in tribute to Angie Stone.) Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud and Nuno Bennencourt performed a three-song tribute to Osbourne on the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7. Source link

Jeremy Strong can be a little intense. The Succession star who has established a reputation for being hyper dialed-in to his roles proved it again on Thursday night (Sept. 25) when he told The Late Show host Stephen Colbert that not only does he play Bruce Springsteen‘s legendary manager, Jon Landau, in the upcoming biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, but he embodied him so completely that when the real Landau was on set he wasn’t sure who was whom. “You are famous for going deeply into character,” Colbert said to Strong, who revealed that Springsteen and Landau were on the set of the film “almost every day” during the shoot. “Jon has been a friend, mentor, manager, producer, co-pilot for nearly 50 years,” Strong said as Colbert held up a shot of the actor on set with Landau, Springsteen, director Scott Cooper and the film’s star, Jeremy Allen White. Wondering if method man Strong even realized that Landau was on set most days, Colbert asked, “did you notice him? Or did you notice him more because you were so him?” Strong said he was able to relate to Landau “as Jon,” explaining that as an actor, “you walk out on this limb. You find ways to believe in what you’re doing.” And then he dropped the Strong sauce, adding, “And in a way, if Jon Landau… if I’m Jon Landau, who’s that guy over there?” Colbert had to laugh at that Jedi acting mind trick, comparing it to the famous Star Trek season one episode “The Enemy Within,” in which a transporter malfunction creates two contemporaneous Capt. Kirks. For real, though, Strong said Allen really had to do the heavy lifting in the film that chronicles the then about-to-be-even-more-massive singer’s interior retreat to write the stark, story-cycle Nebraska album. For example, he said, Allen had to perform “Born in the U.S.A.” at the Power Station studio in Manhattan where it was originally recorded by the Boss while Springsteen and Landau were watching. “It’s a movie about integrity and authenticity and healing,” Strong said. “It’s a story about a time in Bruce’s life in 1982 where he was, I would say, trying to find, in James Baldwin’s words, ‘an honest place to stand.’” Strong also noted that even before he signed on to the film that is due out on Oct. 24, he was a Springsteen superfan, revealing which Boss song he played at his wedding. “[The album] is about someone struggling with the feeling of being unfit to live, which is a lyric in the album,” said Strong. “I’m someone who… I had a song of his played at my wedding, ‘If I Should Fall Behind’ [from 1992’s Lucky Town] and Nebraska is an album I’ve always loved, so to give back even a modicum of something to give back to someone who has given so much to all of us was a real privilege.” Strong also talked to Colbert about his new documentary, The White House Effect, which zooms in on the origin story of the climate crisis at a time in the 1990s when climate science began to get politicized. Watch Strong on The Late Show below. Source link

MGK is gearing up for a major fifth anniversary celebration of his homage to pop-punk, 2020’s Tickets to My Downfall. And he’s getting Saga Blade in on the action. In an Instagram post on Thursday (Sept. 25), Kelly roped his six-month-old daughter with former fiancée Megan Fox into the action in an adorable pic in which the little one is rocking a onesie emblazoned with a pink guitar while chilling out on the floor with a stuffed animal. Kelly (born Colson Baker) and Fox welcomed Saga — whose face is obscured in the post — in March. “5 years ago pop punk came back to life. the rest of this year we’re gonna be celebrating the 5 year anniversary of this album,” Kelly wrote in the post, which opens with the album’s cover shot of him standing near an empty swimming pool while sullenly holding a pink electric guitar with the LP’s name scrawled across the front. The album, which dropped on Sept. 25, 2020, topped the Billboard 200, giving MGK his first-ever No. 1 on the tally. It spun off the singles, “Bloody Valentine,” which hit No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “My Ex’s Best Friend,” the blackbear collab that topped out at No. 20 on the Hot 100. Kelly said that celebration will include the upcoming drop of five previously unreleased songs from the sessions that are being “mixed rn to release asap,” as well as a coffee table book of behind-the-scenes images, merch and a tour. “TICKETS TO MY DOWNFALL I LOVE YOU,” Kelly wrote. The album’s producer and co-writer, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, was there for it, writing in comments, “Our baby is 5️⃣ years old.” Good pal and frequent collaborator Mod Sun also weighed in, saying, “I’ll look back on that chapter of life with u in the highest regard. Best friends vs the world forever n ever. Proud doesn’t do it justice.” The rest of the reel included snaps from that era, including Barker pounding out some beats as Kelly looks on, the whole crew hanging in the studio, close-ups of Kelly playing the pink guitar and smoking what looks like a joint, another shot of Barker at his full kit and a cameo from Trippie Redd. The series ends with a text from Barker wishing MGK a “happy tickets anniversary my brother.” “5 years later i still can’t believe it. living like a maniac gave us some really good songs [crying laughing emoji],” Kelly texted back. “change my life forever. love you big bro.” In the meantime, Kelly is gearing up to launch the tour in support of his most recent album, Lost Americana, which is slated to kick off at the Grammy Museum L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Oct. 1. Source link

The U.K. musician’s sophomore album features intimate and impactful stories around affairs of the heart. 9/26/2025 Olivia Dean Gwen Trannoy After a gloomy period, 2025 is looking to be something of a golden year for U.K. and Irish artists: Central Cee’s debut Can’t Rush Greatness achieved U.K. rap’s highest-ever placement on the Billboard 200; Lola Young saw “Messy” become a global smash; and Wet Leg, Fontaines D.C. and Sam Fender all levelled up for their largest-ever live shows. Olivia Dean is fast becoming the leader of the pack. The London-born musician, who melds pop with a soulful influence, is currently working her way up the Hot 100 with “Man I Need,” (No. 30) the second single from her sophomore LP, The Art of Loving. A U.K. arena tour for spring 2026 is completely sold out, including four dates at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena. A clean sweep at the 2026 BRIT Awards feels somewhat inevitable. Her story will be a reassuring one for the British industry having hit familiar benchmarks: she attended the BRIT School (famed for producing Adele and Amy Winehouse), and won a devoted audience with Mercury Prize-nominated debut LP, 2023’s Messy. She’s also toured far and wide, including well-earned slots at Glastonbury and, more recently, with collaborator Sam Fender. But it’s Dean’s talent and personality that shines. Her vocals are perfectly balanced – never overpowering, but unmistakably memorable. She writes succinctly and powerfully on love and relationships, side-stepping clichés and favoring specificity in her songs. The Art of Loving is full of both, a record that looks set to elevate her from rising prospect to a true superstar. These are the 12 songs from The Art of Loving ranked in order of greatness. “The Art of Loving” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Despite clocking in at just 41 seconds, the opening song is a revealing vignette of the journey Dean is about to take the listener on. Birds tweet in the distance and strings swell as Dean muses that hard-won lessons about relationships are valuable lessons all the same: “It wasn’t all for nothing / Yeah, you taught me something.” Pull up a pew, she’s about to spill… “Let Alone The One You Love” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } On an album that smartly pushes Dean’s sound and songwriting forward, “Let Alone The One You Love” feels a touch too familiar and muted compared to the LP’s stronger tracks. That said, Dean’s vocals are particularly mesmeric on this one, even if the song floats by without leaving much of a mark. “I’ve Seen It” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } The Art of Loving’s closing track arrives with a level of perspective. Over a gentle acoustic riff, Dean recounts the ways she’s witnessed love, from the long-lasting relationships, to the fleeting moments of romance on the London Underground which ends up missing “a stop or two,” such is its power. It’s a woozy, understated finale to an otherwise head-spinning LP. “Lady Lady” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Dean’s subtle piano playing is at the core of most songs on The Art of Loving, and harks back to some of her earliest material. “Lady Lady,” an impactful piano ballad, is written from the perspective of someone who has altered their personality to suit a new partner, but is left directionless when the relationship crumbles: “All the things I couldn’t live without / I don’t need ‘em now.” “Loud” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } We’re still some way off the next James Bond flick – the titular character is yet to be cast – but Dean could well be in the running for singing the franchise’s next theme tune. That’s if “Loud” if anything is so to go by, which features Dean’s gorgeous vocals holding their own amidst a swelling orchestra, and a heady mix of danger and intrigue. “Something Inbetween” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘190d23fd-88b6-41bd-92b4-50d96f566e9a’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } The Art of Loving was never going to be a straight-forward fairytale love story, because no relationship ever is. “Something Inbetween” acknowledges the tough moments in the middle, when the end isn’t inevitable, but not far off. “They say the grass is green where you water it,” she ponders to herself, “But I don’t know If I can grow here.” “A Couple Minutes” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } }

It’s been nearly 11 months since Young Thug reached a plea deal and was released from jail to wrap up his involvement in the YSL RICO trial, which became the longest-running trial in Georgia’s history (Thug was arrested in May 2022). Thug’s been on a turbulent ride since regaining his freedom. He’s been laying low on the music side, outside of giving Lil Baby a feature in January and dropping off a pair of singles, one of which was with Future and another that served as an apology tour of sorts, looking to set the record straight. After his release, Thugger has remained at odds with his once-mentee Gunna and his been hit with snitching allegations of his own. Jail phone calls with Mariah the Scientist continued to leak one after the next, which found him allegedly calling GloRilla “ugly” and addressing his relationship with Drake, Future, Gucci Mane and Lil Baby. UY SCUTI (the biggest known star in the universe) has suffered through several delays and Thug has plenty to get off his chest with his first post-prison album. The LP finally arrived on Friday (Sept. 26) and is loaded with a star-studded cast, as he recruited Future, Cardi B, Travis Scott, Mariah the Scientist, T.I., Ken Carson, Sexyy Red, Lil Baby and former foe YFN Lucci. No more tweets, no more leaked calls, Thug takes back control of his narrative and looks to reassert his stature within rap’s A-list with the arrival of UY SCUTI. While the jarring cover art is certain to throw fans off initially, here are all 20 tracks from the album ranked below. “Ninja” Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Thug sets the tone for UY SCUTI by sampling the prosecution’s audio, referring to him as the “most dangerous of the 28” alleged YSL members arrested, and pleading with the judge not to let Thugger receive a bond. The YSL boss dances over cinematic production and flexes that he’s still the capo for the younger generation. The track takes a bizarre turn with Thug repeating a racial slur, which could tie back to the white-bleached version of himself on the cover art. “Mami” (feat. Sexyy Red) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Between Justin Bieber’s “Sweet Spot” and Thug’s “Mami,” Sexyy Red continues to pop up on tracks that don’t utilize her skillset properly. If Thugger was set on having a female rapper alongside him here, there’s only one call he should’ve made, and that’s to the Queen in Gag City. “Revenge” (feat. LilGotIt & 1300SAINT) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Whenever Thug has the chance to uplift the emerging artists around him, he has no issue stepping out of the way to let his guests take the spotlight. LilGotit has been YSL-adjacent and 1300SAINT is actually signed to the label, and the latter takes full advantage of the opportunity to shine on UY SCUTI‘s “Revenge.” “Yuck” (feat. Ken Carson) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Thugger connects with the next generation for a YSL-Opium link-up alongside Ken Carson. Thug lays the groundwork behind the frightening shouts while comparing Carson to Ken from Barbie. Carson takes the baton and shines in the album’s first guest spot. “My life’s so unrated, I swear this s–t a movie/ It’s made by A24, yo’ s–t went to Tubi,” the Project X rapper brags. “Invest Into You” (feat. Mariah the Scientist) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Guitars and Thug singing, it’s feeling like the genre-bending Beautiful Thugger Girls entered the chat. It’s tough to find a rhythm with Thugger jumping around and utilizing various styles across the album. Mariah the Scientist makes a solid appearance and expresses her undying love for Thug, which she knows she’ll never be able to shake at this point. Even through his mistakes, Thugger wants to make this relationship work. Is a fairytale ending still on the table? “Whaddup Jesus” (feat. YFN Lucci) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 2, } } }, playerId: ‘4057afa6-846b-4276-bc63-a9cf3a8aa1ed’, playlistId: ‘b7dab6e5-7a62-4df1-b1f4-3cfa99eea709’, }).render(«connatix_contextual_player_div»); }); } else { // This should only be get called when page cache is not cleared and it’s event time. window.pmc.harmony?.switchToHarmonyPlayer(); } Going back a few years, nobody would’ve seen this link-up in the realm of possibilities. But there’s been growth between Thug and YFN Lucci. After both rappers served bids behind bars, they’ve put their differences aside for the greater good and unite on the triumphant “Whaddup Jesus.” Hopefully, there’s more hip-hop armistices in the future leading to good music. “On the News” (feat. Cardi B) Trending on Billboard if ( !window.pmc.harmony?.isEventAdScheduledTime() ) { pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: