Drake Becomes First Artist to Hold Top Three Billboard 200 Spots
On May 15, Drake dropped three new LPs—*Iceman*, *Habibti* and *Maid of Honour*—in a surprise triple‑album release. The three titles entered the Billboard 200 at numbers one, two and three, making Drake the first artist to occupy the top three slots in a single week since the chart’s weekly format began in 1956. The achievement is technically unique because a 2009 rule barred Michael Jackson’s posthumous releases from counting, which would have otherwise given him a similar sweep. The drop follows Drake’s high‑profile feud with Kendrick Lamar and a dismissed lawsuit against UMG.
Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Elvis & More Artists With the Most Weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200: Full List
Billboard 200 data released on May 30 2026 shows Taylor Swift topping the list of artists with the most cumulative weeks at No. 1, amassing 98 weeks. The Beatles remain the all‑time leaders with 132 weeks, while Drake’s recent debut pushes him to 38 weeks,...
Drake Sets Album Charts Record as First Artist to Hold Top Three Positions With ‘Iceman,’ ‘Habibti’ and ‘Maid of Honour’
Drake made Billboard history by debuting three albums—"Iceman," "Habibti" and "Maid of Honour"—at No. 1, 2 and 3 on the Billboard 200. "Iceman" opened with 463,000 equivalent album units, the largest R&B/hip‑hop week of 2026 and the second‑largest sales week overall....
President 2026 UK and European Tour Announced
Masked metal outfit President announced a headline tour of the UK and Europe for November, following the release of their debut album Blood Of Your Empire on September 4 via Atlantic Records. The 12‑city run kicks off in Stockholm on Nov 1...
IAN HILL Says Next JUDAS PRIEST Album Is 'Shaping Up To Be A Great Classic' LP: 'A Little Bit More...
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill confirmed that the band has finished most backing tracks for their next studio album and that Rob Halford is currently recording vocals. The new record is described as a more direct, slightly traditional follow‑up to...
Today In Hip Hop History: Compton’s Most Wanted Released Their Debut Album ‘It’s A Compton Thang’ 36 Years Ago
Compton’s Most Wanted debuted with *It’s A Compton Thang* in July 1990 on Orpheus Records, delivering a raw West Coast gangsta‑rap perspective before the G‑Funk boom. Produced by DJ Slip and The Unknown DJ, the album blended gritty street narratives...
Today In Hip Hop History: Jeru The Damaja Dropped His Debut Album ‘The Sun Rises In The East’ 32 Years...
On October 1994 Jeru the Damaja released his debut album *The Sun Rises In The East* on Payday Records, with all tracks produced by DJ Premier. The record delivered raw lyricism and a stripped‑down boom‑bap sound that stood apart from...
Drake’s “ICEMAN” Now Eligible For RIAA Gold Certification After First Week Sales
Drake’s third installment of his album trilogy, *ICEMAN*, has logged at least 500,000 album‑equivalent units in the United States during its first week, qualifying it for RIAA Gold certification. The milestone was reported by Complex before Billboard released its official...
ROY KHAN On His Upcoming Solo Album: 'I'm Trying To Capture The Sound That KAMELOT Had While I Was In...
Roy Khan, former Kamelot vocalist and current Conception frontman, announced his first solo album, slated for early 2027. The record is being produced by longtime Kamelot collaborator Sascha Paeth, with co‑production from Caio Kehyayan and Adrienne Cowan, and songwriting input from Bill Hudson....
TARJA TURUNEN Explains Why Now Was Right Time For Her To Make 'Heavier' Album With 'Frisson Noir'
Former Nightwish frontwoman Tarja Turunen announced her new solo album “Frisson Noir,” slated for release on June 12, 2026 through earMUSIC. Described as the heaviest record of her career, the ten‑track LP blends orchestral textures with aggressive guitar work and features...
‘He Thinks so Differently’: AR Rahman on ‘Epic’ Collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Ramayana
AR Rahman has teamed up with Academy‑award‑winning composer Hans Zimmer to score Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological epic *Ramayana*. The two‑part film, starring Ranbir Kapoor, is being billed as one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious projects with a budget of roughly ₹4,000 crore (about $480 million)....
J Balvin Reminded Sueños Festival 2026 Why OG Status Still Has Muscle
Colombian reggaetón star J Balvin headlined the Sueños Music Festival 2026 on May 23 in Chicago’s Grant Park, delivering a one‑hour set that leaned on his classic hits rather than surprise guests. Songs like “Ginza,” “La Canción,” and “Que Calor” reminded fans why...
The Game Salutes Drake’s Commercial Dominance With “ICEMAN” Trilogy
Los Angeles rapper The Game used an Instagram Story to celebrate Drake’s unprecedented commercial performance, sharing first‑week sales projections for the artist’s three‑album ICEMAN trilogy. The flagship album ICEMAN is projected to move 460,000 album‑equivalent units, while HABIBTI and MAID...
Who Gets to Be in the Room?
The San Francisco Symphony appointed Elim Chan as its music director, making her the first woman to lead one of America’s “Big 7” orchestras and the least‑proven choice in decades. Meanwhile, Chicago venues are locking patrons’ phones to create screen‑free experiences,...
1973 Country Hit, Written in 5 Minutes, Listed Among ‘Greatest Rock Songs' Of All Time
"Ramblin' Man" was written by Dickey Betts in just five minutes and released as the lead single from the Allman Brothers Band’s 1973 album *Brothers and Sisters*. The track arrived after the tragic deaths of founding members Duane Allman and...
Watch Iron Maiden Perform Classic Tune for First Time in 38 Years
Iron Maiden opened the 2026 leg of its Run for Your Lives World Tour in Athens, Greece, marking the start of a European sweep that celebrates the band’s 50th anniversary. While the set list mirrored last year’s, frontman Bruce Dickinson...
DEAN DELEO's ONE MORE SATELLITE Completes Work On Second Album
Dean DeLeo’s side project ONE MORE SATELLITE has completed mixing and mastering its sophomore album, targeting a fall 2026 release. The ten‑track record features Stone Temple Pilots drummer Eric Kretz on one song, bassist Robert DeLeo on half the album, and contributions from...
BAD BRAINS' DARRYL JENIFER Announces New Instrumental Album 'The Weather Channel'
Founding BAD BRAINS bassist Darryl Jenifer is set to release his new instrumental album, “The Weather Channel,” on July 17 via Org Music in LP, CD, and digital formats. The record fuses exploratory jazz with elements of fusion, dub, psychedelia, and...
Charli XCX Shares ‘Playboy Bunny’, the Punky B-Side to New Single ‘SS26’
Charli XCX has dropped the punk‑infused B‑side “Playboy Bunny,” paired with her latest single “SS26.” The track is exclusive to a 7‑inch vinyl and her Instagram “b.sides” feed, deliberately bypassing streaming platforms. Charli explains the two songs act as sonic...
UPON A BURNING BODY Share "Voices In The Dark" & "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing"
Texas metalcore band Upon a Burning Body released two new tracks, “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” and “Voices In The Dark,” from the deluxe edition of their upcoming album Blood of the Bull, slated for May 29. A music video for...
Bruce Springsteen Keeps Hope and Dreams Alive on Tour: 10 Best Moments From Cleveland
Bruce Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams tour reached its 17th stop in Cleveland, kicking off the final week of a seven‑and‑a‑half‑week, 20‑date trek that began in Minneapolis. The setlist remained unchanged after the band added the Clash’s “Clampdown” early...
Charli XCX Drops Cheeky ‘Playboy Bunny’ B-Side to ‘SS26’
Charli XCX has unveiled a cheeky pop‑punk B‑side titled “Playboy Bunny,” available only on her Instagram account and as a limited‑edition 7" vinyl. She explains the track is deliberately opposite in sound to her lead single “SS26,” serving as a...
SOUNDGARDEN Is Still 'In The Process' Of Finishing Final Album With CHRIS CORNELL: 'It's Very, Very Important To All Of...
Surviving members of Soundgarden are close to completing a posthumous album featuring unreleased recordings with late frontman Chris Cornell. The band is working with original producer Terry Date to flesh out decade‑old demos, some dating back to 2015, into finished...
JACK OSBOURNE Responds to Backlash About A.I. OZZY: "He Would Be Into This"
The Osbourne family has licensed Ozzy Osbourne’s likeness to Hyperreal and Proto Hologram to create a high‑fidelity AI avatar that can mimic his mannerisms and speech. Jack Osbourne addressed backlash, emphasizing the project’s tasteful intent and advanced technology. The avatar...
Boards Of Canada – Inferno
After a thirteen‑year silence, Boards of Canada returned with Inferno, an eighteen‑track, 70‑minute album that blends cinematic IDM with occult and hauntological themes. The record arrives amid heightened geopolitical tension and digital fatigue, offering a nostalgic yet unsettling soundscape. Their...
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Kick of Memorial Day Weekend with “Summertime Blues,” Special Guest and More
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) launched Memorial Day weekend with a high‑energy set on the Stone Pony’s outdoor Summer Stage in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The quintet wove together Grateful Dead classics, an Allman Brothers instrumental, and a rare Van...
Ludacris Reunites With Dave Meyers for Wild “Pull Over” Music Video
Ludacris dropped the cinematic video for his new single “Pull Over,” released through DTP Records and Def Jam. The clip was co‑directed by veteran music‑video auteur Dave Meyers—who previously helmed “Stand Up” and “How Low”—and Cam Erickson. Featuring surreal humor, Ludacris appears...
Joey Bada$$ Returns With New Red Bull 60-Second Freestyle
Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ returned to Red Bull Studios for a new 60‑second freestyle, released on the brand’s Red Bull 1520 YouTube channel. The performance follows a high‑profile year that saw him drop his fourth studio album "Lonely At The...
Olivia Rodrigo, Vince Staples: 8 Songs We’re Talking About This Week
The New York Times highlighted eight new tracks released over Memorial Day weekend, featuring Olivia Rodrigo’s orchestral‑driven single “The Cure,” Charli XCX’s fashion‑infused rock‑pop “SS26,” and Vince Staples’ socially charged “White Flag.” Other notable songs include Katie Pruitt’s protest‑laden “Same...
Jake Worthington Announces Hiatus “To Work On Myself”
Traditional country singer Jake Worthington announced a hiatus on May 22, saying he needs time to work on himself for his family. The pause clears his tour schedule through late July, removing openings with Luke Combs in Montreal and Toronto as well...
Rob Base, Rapper Known for ‘It Takes Two,’ Dies at 59
Rob Base, the 59‑year‑old rapper behind the 1988 platinum hit “It Takes Two,” died on Friday after a private battle with cancer, his family announced via Instagram. The song, a collaboration with DJ E‑Z Rock, remains a cultural touchstone, earning...
Niall Horan Says Goodbye to Liam Payne on New Song ‘End of an Era’
Former One Direction member Niall Horan has released a new single, “End of an Era,” as a heartfelt tribute to his late bandmate Liam Payne, who died in October 2024. The song, co‑written with longtime collaborators John Ryan and Julian...
Paul McCartney Looks Back in Splendor With a New Solo Masterpiece
Paul McCartney’s new solo album, *The Boys of Dungeon Lane*, arrives six years after his last release, offering a nostalgic look at his Liverpool upbringing. The 14‑track record features McCartney playing nine instruments, with minimal production support from Andrew Watt....
The Story of the One-Hit Wonder Band That Secretly Influenced the Entire Post-Grunge Movement
Local H’s 1996 breakout single “Bound For The Floor” vaulted the band into the mainstream, reaching #10 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #5 on Alternative Airplay. Their follow‑up album *Pack Up The Cats* was poised for a major push,...
ILLUMISHADE, Featuring ELUVEITIE Members, Returns With New Single 'Paralyzed'
Swiss modern‑metal outfit ILLUMISHADE has dropped the independent single “Paralyzed,” featuring ELUVEITIE vocalist Fabienne Erni and guitarist Jonas Wolf. The track pairs a crushing whammy‑driven riff with melancholic, hopeful lyrics about a lost love, showcasing the band’s cinematic metal signature....
Cam Newton’s Reaction to ‘Janice STFU’ And Athletes Push the ICEMAN Hit to Viral Status
Drake’s new album ICEMAN has quickly become a streaming powerhouse, with the track “Janice STFU” emerging as the breakout hit. The song’s layered references—including a Sopranos‑style sample and a Lykke Li interpolation—have sparked widespread analysis on social media. Former NFL MVP...
RAUNCHY Releases Lyric Video For New Single 'Frameworker'
After a 12‑year hiatus from studio releases, Danish metal veterans RAUNCHY have re‑entered the spotlight with a lyric video for their new single 'Frameworker'. The track serves as the first glimpse of the forthcoming album 'Prisoner', slated for later 2026...
DED Announces Deluxe Edition Of 'Resent'
Phoenix‑based metal band DED will issue a deluxe version of its September 2025 album “Resent” on July 3 through UNFD. The expanded set adds 11 previously unreleased tracks and demos, bringing the total to 23 songs, and includes the new single “Weapon”...
Charley Crockett Fans Left Confused After Another Project Disappears
Country singer Charley Crockett’s latest album *Clovis* appeared on streaming services on April 28, only to be blacked out and later removed entirely. At the same time, his documentary *A Cowboy in London* vanished from YouTube, leaving fans without access to...
5 Album Releases That Defined 1988
In 1988 a handful of albums reshaped the musical landscape, from Sonic Youth’s noise‑laden *Daydream Nation* to Public Enemy’s politically charged *It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back*. Pixies introduced a surreal edge with *Surfer Rosa*, while...
56 Years Ago Today, Merle Haggard Was at No. 1 With the Album (And Title Track) That Became a Cultural...
On May 22 1970 Merle Haggard’s live album Okie From Muskogee topped the country charts and crossed to #46 on the pop chart, earning CMA and ACM Album of the Year honors. The title track became a cultural flashpoint, resonating with small‑town Americans...
“This Ain’t It”: Zach Top Reveals Just How How Hard He Fought To Release His Breakout Hit
Washington‑born Zach Top burst onto the country scene in early 2024 with his retro‑styled single “I Never Lie.” After multiple major labels dismissed the track, indie label Leo33 signed him in September 2023, releasing the song as the second single from *Cold...
THROWN INTO EXILE Releases New Single 'Behind The Veil'
Los Angeles melodeath band THROWN INTO EXILE released the single “Behind The Veil,” debuting their BLKIIBLK era. The track, featuring new vocalist Joshua Santos, premiered on Matt Heafy’s “Chaos Hour” on SiriusXM Liquid Metal and is accompanied by an official...
JON SCHAFFER Shares Music Video For 'Full Spectrum Dominance' From SONS OF LIBERTY Project
Jon Schaffer, the founder of Iced Earth and Sons of Liberty, released a DazVideos‑produced music video for “Full Spectrum Dominance,” the lead single from his re‑imagined double‑album “Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2). The collection, blending the 2009 Brush‑fires Of The Mind LP and...
Relix Staff Picks: Ed O’Brien, Bill Orcutt & Mabe Fratti, Bleachers, Marisa Anderson, Thomas Dollbaum and More
Relix’s weekly Staff Picks playlist, now streamed through Qobuz, highlights the most compelling new releases of the past seven days. The centerpiece is Ed O’Brien’s sophomore solo album Blue Morpho, a four‑year project that fuses psychedelic folk with symphonic ambience and...
Maggie Rose Reveals Second ‘Half Moon’ Preview, New Single “Gentle Man”
Maggie Rose has released a second preview from her forthcoming album Half Moon, the ballad “Gentle Man.” Co‑written with producer Lawrence Rothman, the track delves into compassionate masculinity and serves as a dedication to her unborn son. The song follows...
Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Lola Young, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week
This week’s “Songs You Need to Know” playlist spotlights a mix of pop powerhouses and emerging sounds, featuring Charli XCX’s apocalyptic single “SS26,” Olivia Rodrigo’s heartbreak‑laden “The Cure,” and Lola Young’s emotive ballad “From Down Here.” The collection also adds new cuts from Ariana Grande, Bleachers, and...
AP A-Sides: 10 Songs You Need to Hear
Alternative Press released its weekly AP A‑sides playlist on May 22, 2026, featuring ten tracks that span the evolving alternative scene. The selection includes veteran act Quicksand alongside rising artists such as Ecca Vandal, Pinkshift, and Liquid Mike. Editors highlighted the playlist as...
The Big Hit April Wine Struggled to Finish
April Wine’s 1981 power ballad “Just Between You and Me” became the band’s biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 21 on Billboard and earning the distinction of being the first Canadian rock video aired on MTV’s launch day. The track’s recording...
Gogol Bordello Announce Fall Tour ++ New Exclusive ‘Gypsy Punks: Underground World Strike’ Vinyl
Gogol Bordello’s new album *We Mean It, Man* fuels a fall 2026 North American tour that begins in September after a summer European festival run. The band also offers an exclusive “Yellow w/ Black Splatter” vinyl of their 2005 album *Gypsy Punks:...