Jim Jones Challenges Cam’ron to ‘Verzuz’ in Harlem: ‘Let’s Settle This Once and for All’
Harlem rappers Jim Jones and Cam’ron reignited their long‑standing feud when Jones posted an Instagram challenge, proposing a head‑to‑head Verzuz battle in Harlem. The invitation references the Diplomats’ 2021 loss to the LOX on the Verzuz platform, a loss that still stings the group. Cam’ron, who has been appearing as a sports analyst on ESPN’s First Take, has not yet responded. The potential showdown could become a high‑profile event for hip‑hop fans and the broader entertainment market.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Intimate Barcelona Show Is Getting the Concert Film Treatment: Watch the Teaser
Spotify announced that Olivia Rodrigo’s intimate Billions Club Live show in Barcelona will debut as a long‑form concert film on May 27. The one‑night performance featured 1,500 fans at the historic Teatre Grec and included eight of her nine Billions...
Drake Ties Taylor Swift for the Most Billboard 200 No. 1 Albums Among Soloists
Drake’s latest album ICEMAN entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1, giving him his 15th chart‑topping album and tying him with Taylor Swift for the most No. 1s among solo artists. The milestone places both artists just behind The Beatles, who hold 19 No. 1s across...
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,...
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...
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...
Lola Young, Elton John, Rosalía & More Honored at 2026 Ivor Novello Awards: Complete Winners List
The 2026 Ivor Novello Awards were held at London’s Grosvenor House, honoring top songwriters across a range of categories. Elton John was named the Ivors Academy’s first president while Sam Fender took Songwriter of the Year amid his hit “Rein...
Rosco P. Coldchain & Nicholas Craven Talk New Tape, Chemistry and Mainstream Vs. Underground
Veteran rapper Rosco P. Coldchain returns with the tape “Play With Something Safe,” fully produced by underground beatmaker Nicholas Craven. Recorded largely in Vermont and featuring guests Malcolm Kamal, Jimmie D, Bruiser Wolf and Ab‑Liva, the project blends Craven’s soulful sample loops with Rosco’s...
Margo Price, Brandi Carlile, Mon Rovîa, Ken Pomeroy Among Leading Americana Honors & Awards Nominees
The 25th Americana Honors & Awards nominees were announced for the September 16 ceremony at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Brandi Carlile, Margo Price, Charley Crockett, Molly Tuttle and Jesse Welles contend for Artist of the Year, while Tyler Childers, Kathleen Edwards, S.G. Goodman, Ken Pomeroy and Price vie...
CORTIS Achieves First No. 1 on Top Album Sales Chart With ‘GREENGREEN’
CORTIS earned its first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart with the debut of GREENGREEN, moving 81,500 pure copies in the United States during the week ending May 14. The achievement marks the group’s best sales week and its second...
Ice Cube & Mike Epps Say ‘Last Friday’ Will Be About Gentrification
Ice Cube and Mike Epps have officially green‑lit the long‑awaited fourth installment of the "Friday" franchise, titled *Last Friday*. The duo told Entertainment Tonight the film will tackle the gentrification of their South Central neighborhood, marking a thematic shift from...
Watch Lola Young Lose Herself in Deeply Emotional Performance for a Small Room of People: ‘Art Is Really All We Have’
Lola Young became the first artist to appear in Apple Music’s new Music Room series, delivering an emotionally raw rendition of “Can We Ignore It :(” in an intimate Los Angeles studio. The performance, streamed on Billboard and Apple Music, features...
Believe Founders Denis Ladegaillerie & Romain Vivien Explain the Global Rise of Their Multibillion-Dollar Music Company | Billboard News
Believe, founded by Denis Ladegaillerie and led by Romain Vivien, has grown into a multibillion‑dollar music company that now commands roughly 10% of the global digital music market. The firm ranks among the top three players in 12‑13 of the...
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for May 23, 2026 | Billboard News
Ella Langley dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of May 23, 2026, with “Choosin’ Texas” marking its tenth consecutive week at No. 1 and “Be Her” holding the No. 2 spot. Bruno Mars returned with two top‑10 entries, “I Just Might” at #4 and...
Michael Jackson Rules Billboard Artist 100 for First Time, Thanks to Continued ‘Michael’ Biopic Success
Michael Jackson has topped Billboard’s Artist 100 for the first time, driven by the ongoing success of the “Michael” biopic. In the May 8‑14 tracking week his catalog logged 161.2 million U.S. streams, 93.4 million radio audience impressions, 46,000 album sales and 20,000 digital...
TLC Musical ‘CrazySexyCool’ Reveals Cast: See the Lead Actresses
Broadway‑trained actresses Holli’ Gabrielle Conway, Jade Milan and Stoney B. Woods will portray the three members of TLC in the new musical CrazySexyCool, debuting at Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater in Washington, D.C. The production runs from June 12 through August 9 and...
UMG CFO: Downtown Will Add 15 to 20 Million Euros to Virgin Music Group Revenue in the Coming Years
Universal Music Group’s CFO Matt Ellis said the recent acquisition of Downtown Music Group will generate €15‑20 million (about $16‑22 million) in incremental revenue for Virgin Music Group over the next few years. The deal contributes to Virgin Music’s faster growth relative...
Michael Jackson Holds U.K. Albums Chart Crown as Compilation Scores Second Week at No. 1
Michael Jackson’s compilation *The Essential Michael Jackson* secured a second consecutive week at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart dated May 15, extending a reign it first achieved 17 years ago. Westlife’s new compilation *25 – The Ultimate Collection* entered...
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean Set New U.K. Chart Record as ‘Rein Me In’ Earns 11th Week at No. 1
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s collaborative remix “Rein Me In” has reclaimed the UK Official Singles Chart for an 11th non‑consecutive week, establishing a new record for the longest‑running number‑one by a male/female duo. The track, originally from Fender’s 2025...
Shakira & Burna Boy Shout Out Soccer Icons in Official 2026 FIFA World Cup Song ‘Dai Dai’
Colombian pop icon Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy have released “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The four‑minute track fuses Afrobeats, dance‑pop, reggaetón and world‑beat elements while name‑checking soccer legends such as Maradona, Messi and...
Madonna’s ‘Confessions II’ Track List Surfaces on Street Posters
Madonna’s latest guerrilla campaign plastered major cities with posters that unveil the full 12‑track list for her upcoming album *Confessions II*. The vinyl‑styled artwork splits the songs into Side 1 and Side 2 and confirms a July 3 release with two preorder configurations –...
Linda Perry Talks ‘Let It Die Here’ Documentary & Album, Plus 4 Non Blondes’ ‘What’s Up?’ Viral Moment: ‘You Can’t...
Linda Perry’s documentary *Let It Die Here* debuted at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and is now playing in select theaters, coinciding with the release of her first solo album in more than a decade. The film, born from director...
Meghan Patrick Cancels Tour to Focus on Pregnancy: ‘My Health & My Baby Girl’s Well-Being Have to Come First’
Country singer‑songwriter Meghan Patrick, known for the Billboard Country Airplay top‑20 hit “Golden Child,” announced on Instagram that she will cancel the remainder of her 2026 tour starting in June to prioritize her health and upcoming baby. The decision follows...
‘Creativity Is Not a Confession’: Maryland Governor Signs Law to Keep Rap Out of Criminal Cases
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed the Protecting Artists’ Creative Expression (PACE) Act, a law that sharply restricts when prosecutors can introduce rap lyrics as criminal evidence. The legislation mandates judges to confirm that lyrics are literal, relevant, and pertain to...
Keli Holiday Says U.S. Entry Was Revoked Mid-Tour, Forcing Cancellation of New York Show
Australian singer Keli Holiday, the solo project of Peking Duk’s Adam Hyde, was denied re‑entry into the United States at the Canada‑U.S. border despite holding a valid visa, forcing the cancellation of a New York City show and an early...
Ella Mai Teases Upcoming Do You Still Love Me Tour: ‘We Want to Step It Up a Bit’
British R&B star Ella Mai announced a nearly 40‑date "Do You Still Love Me" tour that kicks off on July 7 in Toronto, featuring rising acts Ama and Girlfriend as openers. The trek marks her first major outing since giving birth...
Ken Carson Kicks Off ‘The Xperiment’ Rollout With Star-Studded Rolling Loud Orlando Set Feat. Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Destroy Lonely...
Ken Carson stepped in as the Sunday night headliner at Rolling Loud Orlando after NBA YoungBoy withdrew, using the slot to launch his "The Xperiment" era. The 26‑year‑old performed 13 songs, including unreleased snippets like “Grow Apart,” and debuted new...
Fans Choose MUNA’s ‘Dancing on the Wall’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
Billboard’s weekly new‑music poll named MUNA’s third studio album, Dancing on the Wall, the week’s favorite release, capturing 51.69% of fan votes. The LA indie‑pop trio, known for the breakout 2022 hit “Silk Chiffon,” released the album on Saddest Factory Records,...
Eric Church Delivers UNC-Chapel Hill Commencement Speech Like a Guitar Lesson, Performs ‘Carolina’ for Grads
Eric Church, a two‑time Billboard 200 chart‑topper, delivered the keynote at UNC‑Chapel Hill’s May 10 commencement for the class of 2026. He turned the address into a guitar lesson, using a six‑string metaphor to illustrate faith, family, heart, ambition, resilience and community. The...
Noah Kahan Performs ‘Doors’ and ‘The Great Divide’ on ‘SNL’ in Second Musical Guest Appearance
Noah Kahan returned to Saturday Night Live on May 9, performing the new tracks “Doors” and “The Great Divide” from his fourth studio album. The album, released April 24 via Mercury Records, entered the charts at No. 1 in both the United States...
Aitana Kicks Off Her Cuarto Azul World Tour With Intimate, Emotional Show: Full Setlist
Aitana opened her Cuarto Azul World Tour in Almería, Spain, drawing nearly 18,000 fans. The concert featured an intimate bedroom set, a custom nude outfit, and a stage designed as an open‑house with changing colors. The setlist centered on her...
Charli Xcx Releases ‘I Keep On Thinking Bout You Every Single Day and Night’ as ‘Rock Music’ Vinyl B-Side
Charli XCX has added a new B‑side, “I Keep On Thinking Bout You Every Single Day and Night,” to the limited‑edition “Rock Music” 7‑inch vinyl. The 1:32 minimalist track, accompanied by a black‑and‑white video shot in Kyoto, is only available...
8 Highlights From 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala: Janet Jackson, Heart, Lucinda Williams & More
The third annual Grammy Hall of Fame Gala took place May 8 at the Beverly Hilton, honoring fourteen recordings that span rock, hip‑hop, gospel and world music. Live performances featured Josh Groban’s Sicilian rendition of “Brucia La Terra,” George Clinton and Erykah Badu revisiting Funkadelic’s...
Matt Damon and Noah Kahan on ‘SNL’: How to Watch the Sketch Comedy TV Series Live Online
On May 9, Saturday Night Live aired with Oscar‑winner Matt Damon returning as host for his third appearance, while folk singer‑songwriter Noah Kahan performed as the musical guest for the second time. Damon used the platform to promote his upcoming film The Odyssey, slated for...
Joey Valence & Brae Turn ‘Security’ Into Dance-Rap Chaos on ‘Like A Version’
Joey Valence & Brae delivered a synth‑heavy, dance‑rap rendition of Amyl and the Sniffers’ 2021 punk anthem “Security” on triple j’s renowned “Like A Version” show. Stripping back the original’s pub‑rock guitars, they rebuilt the track around booming low‑end electronics...
Maná, Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin & More to Open the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico
FIFA announced that a star‑studded lineup—including Maná, Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda, Lila Downs, Danny Ocean and South African act Tyla—will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City’s Estadio Banorte on June 11....
DJ Whoo Kid Says Rap Game Needs Drake: ‘When He’s Here, We’re on the Charts’
DJ Whoo Kid told Diverse Mentality that hip‑hop is missing Drake’s chart‑pulling power, noting the Toronto rapper’s recent request to use his drop on a Kendrick Lamar diss track. Whoo Kid highlighted how Drake’s presence historically lifts rap songs onto...
Red Hot Chili Peppers Sells Recorded Music Catalog to WMG for Over $300 Million
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold their recorded‑music catalog to Warner Music Group for more than $300 million. The purchase was made through WMG’s $1.2 billion joint venture with Bain Capital, which targets both recorded and publishing rights. The catalog, covering the...
NewJeans Members and HYBE Sued Over ‘How Sweet’: Songwriters Claim ‘Blatant Copying’
South Korea’s HYBE and its K‑pop act NewJeans have been sued in a U.S. federal court over alleged copying of a demo titled “One of a Kind” in the group’s May 2024 single “How Sweet.” The complaint, filed May 7, claims...
NBA YoungBoy Drops Off Rolling Loud Orlando Lineup: ‘I Won’t Be Making It This Time’
NBA YoungBoy announced via Instagram that he will not perform at this weekend’s Rolling Loud festival in Orlando, citing a need for a break from travel and performing. Rolling Loud quickly reposted his message and revealed Ken Carson as the...
Alejandro Fernández & Banda MS to Headline the Arre Festival, Returning to Mexico City in 2026
The Arre Festival, a premier showcase of regional Mexican music, will be held Sept. 5‑6, 2026 at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Headliners Alejandro Fernández and Banda MS join a diverse roster spanning mariachi, banda, norteño, tumbados and tropical styles. The festival, organized by...
Backline Launches Mental Health Toolkit for Dance Music Community: ‘Seeking Help Is Not Something to Be Ashamed Of’
Backline, a nonprofit focused on mental health in the music industry, has launched a free, downloadable mental‑health toolkit tailored for EDM artists and touring professionals. The guide offers practical advice on tour packing, immune support, sleep optimization, hearing protection, venue...
Jason Derulo Wins ‘Savage Love’ Copyright Trial: Session Guitarist Can’t Get Royalties
A Los Angeles jury ruled on May 7 that Jason Derulo and Columbia Records owe no royalties to session musician Matthew Spatola for the 2020 hit “Savage Love.” Spatola, who was paid a $2,000 fee for two studio sessions, claimed...
L7 Is Hitting the Road for One Final Hurrah: ‘We Are Deeply Grateful’
L7, the seminal 1990s feminist rock band, announced a 27‑date North American “Last Hurrah Tour,” marking what they describe as their final series of live performances. The trek kicks off on June 4 in Toronto and concludes on November 14 in Los...
RAYE Calls Out ‘Nasty’ Amy Winehouse Fans Who Tear Her Down in the Name of ‘Defending’ Late Icon
British singer‑songwriter RAYE uses her new track “I Will Overcome” to call out fans who disparage her while invoking Amy Winehouse’s legacy. In a Billboard cover interview, she explains that the same verbal abuse Amy endured is being mirrored against...
Inside Radiohead’s Immersive Motion Picture House: 6 Takeaways
Radiohead’s Kid A Mnesia Motion Picture House opened in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard, offering a two‑month New York run that blends a 75‑minute film, immersive art installations, and spatial‑audio mixes. The exhibit, originally built for Coachella in a 17,000‑square‑foot bunker, now tours Chicago, Mexico...
Heads of BMG, Concord Talk Major Indie Merger: ‘We Have a Very Clear Vision’
BMG and Concord announced a merger that would create the largest independent recorded‑music and publishing company since Universal’s acquisition of EMI in 2011. CEOs Thomas Coesfeld and Bob Valentine, who took the helm of their respective firms on the same...
LAMC Unveils 2026 Wonder Women of Latin Music Honorees
The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) announced its 2026 Wonder Women of Latin Music honorees, a cohort of 20 women spanning journalism, public relations, and executive roles. The list, unveiled exclusively by Billboard, includes Billboard social‑media manager Ingrid Fajardo and...
Karol G & Greg Gonzalez’s ‘Después De Ti’ Makes Top 10 Debut on Hot Latin Songs Following Coachella Set: ‘The...
Karol G and Cigarettes After Sex frontman Greg Gonzalez released their first joint track, “Después De Ti,” which entered Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs at No. 6 and topped the Hot Latin Pop Songs chart. The song, premiered during Karol G’s Coachella headlining set, amassed 3.8 million U.S. streams and...
Sting Praises His Kids’ ‘Extraordinary Work Ethic’ While Doubling-Down on Not Handing His Fortune Over to Them: ‘I’m Spending Our Money’
Sting praised his six adult children’s strong work ethic while reaffirming he will not leave them a sizable inheritance. In a CBS Sunday Morning interview, the 74‑year‑old rock legend said he will continue to spend family money on education and...