Texas Country Rebel Paul Cauthen on How He Landed on Beyoncé’s Radar
Texas singer‑songwriter Paul Cauthen, fresh from his album Book of Paul, caught Beyoncé’s attention when a family assistant who attended his high school played his tracks for the pop icon. Beyoncé’s team flew to Cauthen’s Silverlake studio, listened to his songs, and invited him to write for her 2024 country‑leaning project Cowboy Carter. Cauthen and collaborator Beau Bedford pivoted to a pop‑centric writing style, though none of their cuts made the final album. The experience influenced Cauthen’s own 2024 release Black on Black, adding a broader sonic palette.
Ye, Snoop Dogg, and Other Artists Who’ve Been Denied Entry Into the U.K.
Ye, formerly Kanye West, was denied entry to the United Kingdom by the Home Office, prompting the cancellation of the three‑night Wireless Festival. The decision followed pressure from sponsors such as Pepsi and Diageo, who withdrew support after Ye’s repeated antisemitic...
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Cover the Clash’s ‘Clampdown’ for First Time Since 2014
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band surprised fans at the Kia Forum by performing the Clash’s 1979 protest anthem “Clampdown,” their first rendition since a 2014 show. Guitarist Tom Morello rejoined the band, trading lead vocals with Springsteen and...
Harry Styles’ Meltdown Festival Lineup Features Diverse Genres, Disco Occasionally
Harry Styles will curate the 31st Meltdown Festival at London’s Southbank Centre from June 11‑21, culminating with his own headlining set on June 16. The lineup spans indie rock, jazz, electronic, disco and trip‑hop, featuring acts such as Bar Italia, Kamasi Washington,...
Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert Slated to Perform at 2026 ACM Awards
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards will be staged at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17 and streamed live exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music. Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert are among the announced performers,...
Bleachers To Kick Off Rolling Stone’s 2026 Rock Tour in New Orleans
Bleachers will kick off Rolling Stone’s 2026 Rock Tour at New Orleans’ Fillmore on May 20, two days before releasing their fifth album, everyone for 10 minutes. The tour expands to six major U.S. cities, adding dates in Denver, San Diego, New York,...
BTS ARMY Demands Release of Hidden ‘Arirang’ Song on Streaming Platforms
BTS unveiled a surprise track, “Come Over,” that is available only on the deluxe vinyl edition of their first full‑length LP in six years, Arirang. The song’s exclusive release has sparked a wave of fan petitions on X demanding a...
Zach Bryan Cancels Tulsa Performance Due to ‘Dangerous Weather’: ‘I’ve Never Canceled a Show in My Life’
Zach Bryan announced the cancellation of his Friday Tulsa concert after local authorities issued tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings, marking the first time he has ever called off a show in his five‑year touring career. He assured fans that refunds...
Zara Larsson Blasts Sexist Chappell Roan Critics: ‘You Guys Just Hate Women’
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson publicly defended fellow artist Chappell Roan, labeling the criticism she receives as sexist and rooted in misogyny. Roan has been vilified after setting personal boundaries and a misunderstood security‑guard incident involving a Brazilian soccer player’s family. Larsson,...
Brandon Lake Says Jelly Roll Is Trying to Use ‘His Whole Life to Do Good’
Christian artist Brandon Lake, fresh off a Grammy win for his duet “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with country star Jelly Roll, praised his collaborator on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast. Lake emphasized that Jelly Roll is focused on using his entire...
James Gadson, Drummer for Diana Ross and Bill Withers, Dead at 86
James Gadson, the iconic session drummer behind hits for Diana Ross, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye and countless others, died on April 4, 2026 at age 86. His career spanned five decades, delivering the tight one‑beat funk of "Express Yourself," the laid‑back groove on "Lean on Me,"...
Ravyn Lenae and Dominic Fike Put Loyalty to the Test on ‘Reputation’
Ravyn Lenae and Dominic Fike have released the collaborative single “Reputation,” arriving the same week as Lenae’s solo track “Bobby.” Lenae says her third studio album is nearing completion and will push creative boundaries. Meanwhile, Fike’s 2018 song “Babydoll” has...
Manon in ‘Positive Conversations’ With Label as Katseye Return Remains Unclear
Katseye’s upcoming single “Pinky Up” sparked speculation after lead vocalist Manon Bannerman was absent from the teaser and removed the group from her Instagram bio. Bannerman later posted a Weverse message confirming she is on a temporary health‑focused hiatus, thanking...
E Street Band Violinist Tzruya “Suki” Lahav Dead at 74
Tzruya “Suki” Lahav, an Israeli violinist who toured with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band from October 1974 to March 1975, died of cancer at age 74. During that five‑month stint she recorded the haunting violin intro on “Jungleland” and added...
Watch Tems Showcase ‘What You Need’ on ‘Fallon’
Nigerian singer‑songwriter Tems delivered an intimate rendition of “What You Need” on The Tonight Show, spotlighting the lead single from her newly released EP Love Is a Kingdom. The performance featured a live band and backup vocalists, underscoring the emotive...
Watch David Byrne Perform ‘When We Are Singing’ on ‘Colbert’
David Byrne appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, performing “When We Are Singing” from his September‑released album Who Is the Sky?. He highlighted a shift to vibrant, choreographed staging, contrasting with his previous grey‑toned tour. Byrne discussed integrating...
Cardi B Shuts Down Lawsuit Claiming ‘Enough (Miami)’ Used Beats From ‘Reservation Dogs’ Song
A Texas federal judge dismissed the copyright infringement lawsuit alleging Cardi B’s hit “Enough (Miami)” copied the beat from the 2021 “Greasy Frybread” track used in FX’s *Reservation Dogs*. The plaintiffs, production duo Kemika1956, failed to establish personal jurisdiction in Texas...
From ‘DTF St. Louis’ to ‘Project Hail Mary,’ This Dennis Wilson Song Is Having a Moment
Dennis Wilson’s 1977 solo track “Rainbows” has resurfaced after nearly five decades, appearing in the sci‑fi film *Project Hail Mary* and HBO’s series *DTF St. Louis*. The song underscores a scene where Ryan Gosling’s astronaut character marvels at Earth’s beauty, and a...
Cowboy Country Music Is Hot Again, and Josh Weathers Knows It
Josh Weathers released his first studio album since 2019, "Neon Never Fades," a 11‑track collection that leans fully into cowboy‑country sounds. The Texas‑born singer raised more than $430,000 for Hill Country flood relief and was named Texas Country Music Awards...
Pussy Riot Stage Protest Against Tech Company for ‘Powering Russian War Crimes’
Pussy Riot staged a protest at Ubiquiti's Manhattan office, accusing the networking‑hardware maker of enabling Russian military communications on the Ukraine front. The collective demanded that Ubiquiti obey U.S. sanctions, acknowledge its equipment’s use by Russian forces, and cooperate with...
J Balvin and Ryan Castro Conjure Colombia’s Coast on ‘Pal Agua’
Colombian superstars J Balvin and Ryan Castro have dropped their second joint single of 2026, “Pal Agua,” a tropical‑infused track celebrating beach life. The accompanying video showcases yachts, coastal parties, and mountain drives, while embedding QR codes that continue the narrative from...
Lindsey Buckingham on Reuniting With Stevie Nicks: ‘That’s Something That’s in the Air’
Lindsey Buckingham revealed he is one song away from finishing a new solo album and that a Fleetwood Mac documentary, produced by Frank Marshall for Apple, is in the pipeline for 2026. He highlighted the recent re‑issue of the 1970s "Buckingham Nicks" album...
Will This Country Take on 50 Cent Be the Song of the Summer?
Breland’s new single “In My Truck,” his first release in two years, interpolates 50 Cent’s 2003 hit “In Da Club” and is being touted as a potential song of the summer. The track blends country imagery with a hip‑hop hook, following...
Jessie Reyez Drops Surprise EP ‘$Till Paid’
Jessie Reyez surprised fans on March 27, 2026 with the EP “$till Paid,” marking the one‑year anniversary of her third studio album “Paid in Memories.” The five‑track project continues the black‑and‑yellow visual motif and features a childhood portrait on its...
Anitta to Make Her ‘SNL’ Debut With Colman Domingo as Host
Saturday Night Live announced its April 11 episode, featuring Brazilian pop star Anitta as the musical guest and acclaimed actor Colman Domingo as host. Both are making their SNL debuts during the show’s 51st season, which follows recent appearances by Jack...
Yami Safdie and Alejandro Sanz Team Up for Sweet Ballad ‘Cuéntame’
Spanish legend Alejandro Sanz has released his first new track of 2026, a ballad titled “Cuéntame,” in partnership with emerging Argentine vocalist Yami Safdie. The duet was sparked after Safdie approached Sanz at the Premios Lo Nuestro awards and quickly moved from studio to...
Charlie Daniels Hologram to Sing at Military Base
A holographic rendition of late country star Charlie Daniels will headline the America 250 Independence Day celebration at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on July 4, 2026. The "Legend of Charlie Daniels" show pairs the lifelike projection with a live band and guest singers...
YoungBoy Never Broke Again Goes All-Access In ‘American YoungBoy’ Trailer
The trailer for "American YoungBoy," a documentary directed by Nico Ballesteros, debuted on March 26, 2026, previewing a deep‑dive into rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s sold‑out Make America Slime Again (MASA) tour. The film, slated for a nationwide Regal Cinemas release on...
Cardi B Wins Right to Recover Money From Security Guard Who Lost Lawsuit
A Los Angeles judge ordered security guard Emani Ellis to pay Cardi B nearly $20,000 in trial costs after a jury unanimously rejected his assault claim. The $19,690 bill covers deposition fees, court reporting, and photocopies, and the judge deemed the...
See Billie Joe Armstrong Sing Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie Songs at Coverups Concert
Billie Joe Armstrong surprised fans with a secret Coverups show at Berkeley’s Cornerstone, delivering a 30‑song, all‑covers set that featured Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust,” and Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69.” The set also spanned Nirvana, The Strokes, the Go‑Go’s, Misfits and Cheap Trick, while deliberately...
The Newest Member of the Beach Boys Was Discovered on Instagram
Nashville vocalist Chris Cron, who built a following by posting precise Beach Boys harmony videos on Instagram, has been tapped to replace long‑time member Bruce Johnston in the touring Beach Boys lineup. Cron’s viral videos—nearly two million views—caught the attention...
Oklou Is Living Life in the Moment and Changing the Sound of Pop
French singer Oklou, born Marylou Mayniel, released her debut album *Choke Enough*, an experimental pop record praised for its glitch‑laden futurism and nuanced emotional depth. The album, produced with A.G. Cook, Danny L Harle and Casey MQ, blends dreamy synths with feminist‑driven lyricism that...
Ink Is Making the Country Music She Wants to Hear
Ink, the Berlin‑born, Georgia‑raised songwriter and producer, has become a cross‑genre powerhouse, earning a Grammy nomination for her work on Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX" and co‑writing Beyoncé’s Album of the Year, "Cowboy Carter." After releasing the EP "Big Buskin," she is preparing a...
Asher White’s Homespun Indie Revelations
Asher White, a 26‑year‑old trans indie musician, has become a prolific DIY force, self‑releasing dozens of albums before signing with Joyful Noise Recordings. In 2025 she toured with Deerhoof, opened for Black Country, New Road, and dropped the genre‑bending album *8...
Nabeel: Waves of Noise, Songs of Family
Nabeel, an Arabic‑language shoegaze band led by Iraqi‑American Yasir Razak, has broken into the global alternative‑rock scene with two EPs, a debut album and a breakout single that surpassed one million Spotify streams. The group earned a spot on Spotify’s 2025...
Mind if Xaviersobased Keeps Rewriting the Rules?
22‑year‑old New York rapper Xaviersobased released his debut album “Xavier,” a 21‑track, critically praised project that showcases chaotic, maximalist production. The album marks his first major‑label release after signing with Atlantic last year and follows a years‑long cult following built...
Watch Flea Cover Frank Ocean’s ‘Thinkin Bout You’ on ‘Fallon’
Flea appeared on The Tonight Show to perform a jazz‑infused cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You,” showcasing both bass and trumpet alongside a live orchestra. The performance promotes his debut solo album Honora, slated for release on March 27, which...
Victor Jara’s Legacy And How Music in Response to Authoritarianism Resonates Today
Victor Jara, iconic Chilean folk singer, was tortured and executed after the 1973 coup, symbolizing the regime’s attempt to silence dissent. Decades later, a U.S. civil suit under the Alien Tort Statute and Torture Victim Protection Act held a former...
Bob Dylan Kicks Off 2026 Tour With Surprise Eddie Cochran Cover, New Acoustic Set
Bob Dylan opened the 2026 leg of his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour in Omaha, swapping his grand piano for a small keyboard and shifting guitarists to acoustic instruments. He reduced the Rough and Rowdy Ways set to six songs...
Taylor Hawkins’ Best Friend Was in a Yes Tribute Band. Now He Fronts the Real Deal
Jon Davison, a childhood friend of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, moved from fronting the Yes tribute band Roundabout to becoming the official lead vocalist of progressive‑rock giants Yes in 2012. Hawkins personally advocated for Davison, leading to his...
How Vince Gill Dealt With a Heckler When He Sang for an Ill Joe Walsh at an Eagles Show
The Eagles performed their first show in 51 years without guitarist Joe Walsh after he fell ill with the flu. Vince Gill, who joined the band in 2017, stepped in to sing Walsh’s hits, adding his own melodic spin. During...
Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso Are Top-Notch Musicians With Little Left to Say on ‘Free Spirits’
Argentine duo Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso released their second album, Free Spirits, after a viral Tiny Desk performance and the EP Papota. The record showcases polished musicianship and genre‑bending production—Brazilian jazz, funk, hyperpop, and a duet with Sting—yet critics argue...
RM Sprains Ankle Ahead of BTS’ Highly-Anticipated Comeback Concert
BTS leader RM suffered a sprained ankle during rehearsals for the group’s highly‑anticipated comeback concert, prompting Big Hit to announce a mandatory two‑week recovery period with a cast. The injury, involving an accessory navicular sprain, ligament tear and talus contusion,...
BTS, Rvssian, Underscores, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week
This week’s music roundup spotlights BTS’s comeback single “Swim,” marking the K‑pop megastar’s latest push into global charts. Rvssian teams with Afro‑beat heavyweight WizKid and Latin star Rauw Alejandro on the glittering track “Pongo,” while hyperpop producer Underscores drops “Hollywood...
Florida Georgia Line Reunite Onstage for First Time in Four Years
Florida Georgia Line reunited onstage at the Country Radio Seminar honoring Jason Aldean, marking their first performance since announcing an indefinite hiatus four years ago. The duo performed "You Make It Easy," a track they co‑wrote for Aldean that topped...
Watch Chris Robinson Cover Otis Redding’s ‘Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)’ on ‘Kimmel’
Chris Robinson appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform Otis Redding’s 1966 classic “Fa‑Fa‑Fa‑Fa‑Fa (Sad Song)” alongside Rachael Price and the house band, the Cletones. He explained that Redding’s soul sound shaped his own rock style, a nod to his...
Jay-Z to Return to the Stage for Headlining Performance at Roots Picnic 2026
Jay‑Z will headline the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on May 30, 2026, sharing the stage with the Roots at the Belmont Plateau. The appearance coincides with the 30th anniversary of his debut album Reasonable Doubt, which he has been celebrating through a...
Lucy Dacus Delivers Poignant Cover of Daniel Caesar’s ‘Who Knows’
Lucy Dacus performed a heartfelt cover of Daniel Caesar’s “Who Knows” on Triple J’s “Like a Version” series, featuring strings and inventive percussion. She chose the song for its poetic, uncertain love theme, which resonates with her 2025 album “Forever Is...
Charli XCX, Lorde, Tate McRae Top Lollapalooza 2026 Lineup
Lollapalooza 2026 will run July 30‑August 2 in Chicago’s Grant Park, featuring Charli XCX, Lorde and Tate McRae as the main headliners. The four‑day festival adds the Smashing Pumpkins, returning to a U.S. Lolla stage for the first time since 1994, and more than 100 acts...
Doja Cat Commends Chappell Roan’s ‘Attitude’ in Paparazzi Confrontation: ‘She Hasn’t Hurt One Person’
Doja Cat used a TikTok video to defend pop singer Chappell Roan after a viral Paris paparazzi confrontation, praising Roan’s unapologetic attitude. In the same clip, Doja disclosed her borderline personality disorder diagnosis and linked her own experiences to Roan’s handling of...