Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani remain "solid" in their marriage despite recent speculation about a possible divorce. A source tells People that there is "no truth to the split rumors," and that the couple is simply managing their demanding careers. Married since 2021 after six years of dating, the pair continue to prioritize family time amid busy schedules – with Shelton releasing his 13th album in May and preparing for a Las Vegas residency in January, while Stefani is promoting her new music and getting ready for No Doubt’s upcoming reunion shows in May. Shelton is a stepdad to Stefani’s three sons she shares with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, with the couple trying to strike a balance between work and family life. In May, Shelton said their relationship “still feels new for me,” as the couple celebrated ten years together. (People)

On Thursday (December 11), Guns N’ Roses officially announced the support acts for their Summer 2026 North American tour. Public Enemy will be opening the first eight dates of the tour from July 23 to August 16, while The Black Crowes will provide support for four shows between August 22 and September 2. Pierce the Veil will open select dates in September, while The Barbarians of California will join for two dates in August and September, and Ice Cube is set to perform in front of a hometown crowd at GNR’s high-profile show at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on September 5. The tour kicks off with earlier spring dates in Mexico and Florida before hitting U.S. and Canadian stadiums and amphitheaters throughout the summer, concluding on September 19 in Atlanta, with no support act yet announced for that final show. (Consequence of Sound)

At the 22nd show of Sam Smith’s intimate "To Be Free" 24-date residency at Warsaw in Brooklyn on Wednesday night (December 10), the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist surprised fans by bringing out special guests Brandi Carlile and Ed Sheeran. Carlile joined Smith for a moving performance of their 2018 charity single, "Party of One," while Sheeran took the stage for the live debut of their duet, "Who We Love," which was featured on Smith’s 2023 album, Gloria. The night culminated in a sing-along finale of Smith’s hit, "I’m Not the Only One," featuring both guests. Smith also previewed new material, including the upbeat love song "My Guy," hinting at more music to come in 2026. “I wanted to get back into rooms where I can see your faces,” Smith told the star-studded audience, which included Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway. “It’s been such a beautiful experience, so thank you to the Warsaw,” Smith shared. (Billboard)

In the new trailer for Aidan Zamiri’s film, The Moment, Charli XCX grapples with the overwhelming commercialization and overexposure of her "Brat Summer" concept, originally a creative idea tied to her Grammy-winning 2024 album, Brat. The semi-fictionalized narrative explores her uncertainty about continuing the brand amid pressure from managers, labels, and executives who push for constant innovation and broader market appeal, including an Amazon-funded concert film and corporate promotions. As Charli questions what she truly wants amid these competing demands, the film highlights the challenges of maintaining artistic authenticity within pop stardom. The Moment is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, and will hit theaters on Jan. 30. The film, which is based on an original concept by Charli, also stars Rosanna Arquette, Hailey Benton Gates, Kate Berlant, and Isaac Powell, with special guest appearances by Rachel Sennott and Kylie Jenner, making her movie debut. (Rolling Stone)

During an interview on UK radio on Thursday (December 11), Timothée Chalamet addressed the viral conspiracy theory that he is secretly Liverpool rapper EsDeeKid. The Oscar-nominated actor initially responded, “I’ve got no comment,” to the playful prodding from the show’s hosts, before teasing, “All will be revealed in due time.” The rumor surfaced in November after fans pointed out similar eye features shared by Chalamet and the masked rapper, whose debut album, Rebel, recently surged to No. 131 on the Billboard 200 chart due to the buzz surrounding the Hollywood star’s possible involvement. Chalamet, a longtime hip-hop fan who once rapped as Lil’ Timmy, remained cryptic amid wild fan speculation as he promotes his upcoming film, Marty Supreme, which co-stars Tyler, The Creator and is set to be released on Christmas Day. (Billboard)

During her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday (December 10), Taylor Swift was asked by the host to name her top five favorite songs from her catalog, a question he previously asked famous past guests like Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John. The 14-time Grammy winner struggled to come up with her choices, telling Colbert, “this is so much pressure, oh my god.” However, Swift confidently chose the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” as her number one, eliciting cheers from fans in the audience. Swift also mentioned being currently obsessed with tracks from her chart-topping new album, The Life of a Showgirl, while also saying she would include “Mirrorball” from Folklore “somewhere in this list.” The interview coincided with the promotion of her upcoming Disney+ docuseries, The End of an Era, and concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show, both set to debut on Friday (December 12). (People)

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will feature the premiere of Antiheroine, an “unfiltered and unapologetic” documentary about Courtney Love. The film is co-directed by Edward Lovelace and James Hall, and includes a tagline describing the project as, “Now sober and set to release new music for the first time in over a decade, Courtney is ready to reveal her story.” Love is also included in Broken English, an intimate film about the late Marianne Faithfull’s life and legacy that will make its U.S. debut at the festival, which also features appearances by Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Jehnny Beth, Suki Waterhouse, and Beth Orton.

The festival’s lineup also includes two films featuring Charli XCX: The Moment, an A24 film which she conceived and stars in that explores the complexities of pop stardom, and I Want Your Sex, where she appears alongside Olivia Wilde. Other notable music films debuting at the festival include Tamra Davis’ The Best Summer, documenting a pivotal music era with footage of iconic bands like Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, and Beck, and The Disciple, which offers a rare glimpse into the making of Wu-Tang Clan’s notorious album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The festival runs from January 22-27. (Consequence of Sound)

Coldplay rules the 2025 year-end Billboard Boxscore charts with their record-setting Music of the Spheres World Tour, which grossed $464.9 million between October 2024 and September 2025. This marks the band’s second consecutive year at No. 1 and fourth straight year in the Top Five, with total earnings surpassing $1.5 billion and 13.1 million tickets sold – the most in concert tour history. The tour spanned four continents and included a record-breaking 10-night Wembley Stadium residency that grossed $131.4 million, setting the highest single-venue engagement for a headline artist.

Coldplay also led the Top Rock Tours and Top Ticket Sales charts for the third consecutive year, completing another clean sweep of major year-end touring honors. Boxscore’s Top Tours year-end tally was rounded out by Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour at $407.6 million, Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Grand National Tour at $358.7 million – the highest-grossing co-headline tour ever – followed by The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour at $336.7 million – the highest-grossing and best-selling R&B tour ever – and Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour at $327.4 million. 2025 saw five separate tours surpass the $300 million milestone, a new all-time record. (Billboard)

Billie Eilish and Oscar-winning director James Cameron are teaming up to reinvent concert films with Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), which is set to debut in theaters on March 20. The 3-minute trailer for the film premiered on Wednesday (December 10), with the clip showcasing the ambitious, visually stunning production of Eilish’s 106-show world tour supporting her Grammy-nominated third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. The film highlights the show’s innovative stage designs and special effects, while capturing a series of intimate moments – including Eilish breaking down in tears while reading a heartfelt note from her brother and longtime collaborator Finneas, who notably did not join this tour for the first time. “It’s gonna be my first show ever without him,” an emotional Eilish shares in the clip. The 23-year-old Grammy and Oscar-winner expressed awe at working with Cameron, known for the groundbreaking Avatar films, as they push the boundaries of traditional concert documentaries to create a new immersive experience for fans. (Billboard)

During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Tuesday (December 9), Christina Aguilera revealed that she is planning to release a deeply personal new album alongside a career-spanning documentary produced by Time Studios and Roc Nation. The documentary, which has been in the works for several years, explores her journey from teen stardom to motherhood and a new creative phase, with Aguilera revealing that opening up on camera has profoundly influenced her music. “It’s going to be a really personal project coming up because it’ll tie in with a very personal documentary that we’ve been filming for the last few years,” shared the 44-year-old Grammy winner. The documentary is directed by Ting Poo, who in 2022 said of the project, “Christina Aguilera is one of the most iconic artists of our time. I am truly honored to tell the story of the person behind the music.” (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (December 10), event organizers revealed that Diana Ross will help ring in 2026 by headlining “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” The 81-year-old Supremes legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will perform a medley of her hits including “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down” from Times Square as part of America’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration on ABC. Hosted by Seacrest and Rita Ora, the broadcast features 39 artists performing across multiple cities including New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Puerto Rico, with Chance the Rapper leading a Central Time Zone countdown for the very first time. Ross joins a star-studded lineup of performers including 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Chappell Roan, Demi Lovato, Post Malone, and many others, promising a night of music and celebration to welcome the new year. (Variety)

Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl has topped the 2025 year-end Billboard 200 Albums chart, marking her fifth time leading the final roundup and making her the only artist to achieve this feat more than three times. Remarkably, the album secured the top spot with just one week of eligible chart activity, debuting at No. 1 on October 18 (the final week of the 2025 chart year) with a record-breaking 4 million equivalent album units sold in the U.S. during its first week. Swift also led the 2024 year-end chart with The Tortured Poets Department, becoming the first artist since Elton John – with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1974) and Greatest Hits (1975) – to have consecutive year-end No. 1 albums with different titles. Swift also previously claimed the year-end No. 1 with Reputation (2018), 1989 (2015) and Fearless (2009). Additionally, The Tortured Poets Department finished 2025 at No. 6 on the year-end tally, while Morgan Wallen also placed two albums in the Top 10, as I’m the Problem came in at No. 2 and One Thing at a Time reached No. 7. (Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar has been named Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songwriter and R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of 2025, with the Pulitzer Prize-winning Compton rapper receiving both year-end honors for the very first time. This caps off a banner year for Lamar, fueled by his chart-topping GNX album and its record-breaking hit “Luther,” a collaboration with SZA that topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for a historic 31 weeks. The surprise GNX release debuted at No. 1 and maintained strong chart presence throughout the year, also aided by Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance. Alongside being the overall top artist and songwriter, Lamar earned additional Billboard year-end titles, being named Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Artist – Male, and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist – Male, while GNX ranked second for Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums behind SZA’s SOS, which reclaimed the top spot that it first reached in 2023. In addition to “Luther,” Lamar and SZA’s other hit collab, “30 for 30,” landed at No. 4 on the year-end Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, with Kendrick placing three additional tracks in the Top 10: “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay (No. 2), “Not Like Us” (No. 5), and “Squabble Up” (No. 7). (Billboard)

Alex Warren has been named Billboard’s Top New Artist of 2025 after a breakout year highlighted by his No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Ordinary,” which spent 10 weeks atop the chart. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter’s Top 10-charting debut album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 back in August, and came in at No. 26 on the year-end albums list. During the 2025 chart year, Warren placed five songs on the Hot 100, including “Burning Down,” “Bloodline” (with Jelly Roll), “On My Mind” (with ROSÉ), and “Eternity,” with “Ordinary” finishing at No. 7 on the year-end Hot 100 Songs chart. Warren joins some prestigious company by being awarded Billboard’s Top New Artist, as recent winners include Chappell Roan (2024), Zach Bryan (2023), Latto (2022), Olivia Rodrigo (2021) and Roddy Ricch (2020). (Billboard)

Katseye has been named TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year in the platform’s annual Year in Music recap. The Grammy-nominated girl group was followed on the global list by Alan Arietta, Enhypen, Bad Bunny, and Stray Kids. Connie Francis’s 1962 hit, “Pretty Little Baby” topped the global and U.S. song charts due to a viral resurgence on the social media app, where it has garnered over 10 billion cumulative streams, leading to the track making its debut Billboard Hot 100 chart appearance 63 years after its original release. Jess Glynne’s “Hold My Hand” was the No. 2 song globally and in the U.S., with the track coming in at No. 1 in her native UK. Taylor Swift was the most-saved artist on TikTok, with Sombr’s “Back to Friends” becoming the most-saved song, and Tate McRae’s So Close to What the most-saved album. EJAE was named TikTok’s Songwriter of the Year, while Doechii’s “Anxiety” was recognized as the Music Trend of the Year. (Variety)

Sabrina Carpenter was a guest on Late Night With Seth Meyers on Monday night (December 8), and the pop superstar shared a story about the three-day music video shoot for her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Manchild.” During the 15-minute interview, the pop superstar described the filming as “so ambitious,” while revealing that she had 37 different outfits to wear in the video. The shoot also included a painful mishap where Carpenter fell on a cactus, causing her to cry and spend the rest of the day removing cactus spines from her skin. Carpenter and Meyers also teased an upcoming “Day Drinking” segment that they were filming together the next day, which is set to air next week. Carpenter, who recently concluded her worldwide Short N’ Sweet Tour, is nominated for six Grammy Awards at the upcoming 2026 ceremony, including Record, Album, and Song Of The Year, and Best Music Video for “Manchild.” (Uproxx)

On Monday (December 8), Olivia Rodrigo teamed up with Jacob Collier to deliver a stunning a cappella cover of Bing Crosby’s 1943 holiday classic, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The festive performance was shared by Collier on Instagram on Monday (December 8), along with the caption, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas with my dear friend @oliviarodrigo 🎄,” with the “Drivers License” hitmaker delivering a quick intro to the clip, “Hi, Jacob! How’s this?,” before starting the song off on her own. The British musical prodigy then layered multiple clips of him singing backup vocals to create perfect harmonies with Rodrigo. The young Grammy-winning musicians’ performance impressed their  legions of fans on social media, including one of Rodrigo’s idols, Sheryl Crow, who enthusiastically commented on the clip, “Ok MIND BLOWN .”Crow’s comment continues the mutual admiration she shares with Rodrigo, following Sheryl presenting Olivia with Billboard’s Woman of the Year in 2022, and Rodrigo helping induct Crow into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. (Billboard)

David Guetta has made history on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart by earning his 20th No. 1 with his recent collaboration, "Gone Gone Gone" featuring Teddy Swims and Tones and I, making Guetta the artist with the most No. 1s in the chart’s 22-year history. The track, which was released in October 2025, jumps up six spots to reach No. 1 on this week’s chart on the strength of a 48% increase in plays among 24/7 dance reporters and pop stations’ mix show hours. This track also marks Guetta’s fourth No. 1 of 2025 alone, setting a new single-year record. Guetta first topped the tally in June 2007 with “The World Is Mine” featuring JD Davis, and he has dominated the chart over the course of the 2020s, as 12 of his songs have reached No. 1 this decade. In addition to Guetta’s milestone, the track represents the first Dance/Mix Show Airplay No. 1 for Teddy Swims and Tones and I. (Billboard)

Chappell Roan has been named a global ambassador for MAC Cosmetics, marking her first major beauty partnership with the brand after using MAC for high-profile moments like the MTV VMAs, Saturday Night Live, and the Grammys. The 27-year-old pop star praised MAC for embracing diversity and self-expression, describing their partnership as a “full circle” collaboration. “This brand has always made space for people like me,” Roan said in a statement. “I’ve built a special relationship with the MAC team over the years, and they’ve been amazing and thoughtful collaborators on this new journey.” Her debut campaign, shot by Inez & Vinoodh and styled with dramatic, androgynous makeup by artist Andrew Dahling, showcases her signature theatrical look. MAC’s global creative director Nicola Formichetti highlighted Roan’s authenticity and commitment to LGBTQIA+ advocacy as aligning perfectly with the brand’s values, underscoring her role as a powerful creative force for a new generation. (People)

KPop Demon Hunters has earned three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden,” performed by HUNTR/X and co-written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, DO, 24, and Teddy. EJAE makes history by becoming the first Korean American nominated for a Golden Globe in the original song category, where “Golden” competes alongside fellow nominees “Dream as One” by Miley Cyrus from Avatar: Fire and Ash, “I Lied to You” by Miles Caton from Sinners, “No Place Like Home” by Cynthia Erivo from Wicked: For Good, “The Girl in the Bubble” by Ariana Grande from Wicked: For Good, and “Train Dreams” by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner from Train Dreams. Demon Hunters’ Emmy nominations follow the project’s three recent Grammy nods, including Song of the Year for “Golden,”  with EJAE saying of the acclaim, “It feels incredible. The amount of love we’re getting from fans, and just being able to be recognized by literally everyone has been such an honor and a surreal feeling.” (Variety)

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has climbed back to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-tying 19th week, matching the longest chart-topping reigns held by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” in 2024 and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” in 2019. The 1994 Christmas classic extends its record as a chart-topper across seven holiday seasons, after first claiming No. 1 in 2019 and reaching the summit every year since. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is Carey’s 19th Hot 100 No. 1, the most for any solo artist and just one shy of the Beatles’ record of 20, and has made her the first artist to score No. 1 hits in four distinct decades spanning the 1990s to the 2020s. Carey also extends her all-time record of 98 overall weeks spent at No. 1 throughout her career, well ahead of Rihanna’s second-most total of 60.

Holiday hits dominate the top tier of the Hot 100 this week, occupying seven of the Top 10 spots, including the entire top four, led by Wham!’s 1984 single, “Last Christmas,” which vaults up four spots to reach a new high of No. 2. Brenda Lee’s 1958 holiday classic, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” surges up four places to No. 3, while Bobby Helms’ 1957 standard, “Jingle Bell Rock,” jumps up four slots to No. 4. Those holiday hits are joined by Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” rising five spots to No. 8, while Nat “King” Cole’s 1946 classic “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” flies up nine places to No. 9, and Andy Williams’ 1963 anthem, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” vaults up seven spots to claim No. 10. The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by HUNTR/X’s Emmy-nominated hit, “Golden,” from KPop Demon Hunters, which drops three spots to No. 5, while Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” falls five spots to No. 6 after spending its first eight weeks at No. 1 – tying “Anti-Hero” for her longest-leading career hit – and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” slides four spots to No. 7. (Billboard)

Tyler, the Creator was honored with the Innovator of the Decade award at Variety’s Hitmakers event in Los Angeles on Saturday (December 6), where the Grammy-winning rapper reflected on 15 years of creating groundbreaking work that spans music, fashion, and acting. “For me, always looking forward — that’s where I sit comfortable at,” Tyler said in his acceptance speech. “But damn, it does feel good to hear the last 15 years you’ve been doing super-duper, awesome sh*t. I’m so grateful y’all have noticed things I’ve done.” Presented by André 3000, who praised Tyler’s mentorship and versatility, the award recognized his continuous push to redefine hip-hop since his 2009 debut with Odd Future. Celebrated for his integrated artistic vision – from albums and music videos to fashion and film roles like the upcoming Marty Supreme – Tyler recently released two Grammy-nominated albums, Chromakopia and Don’t Tap the Glass, cementing his status as a transformative force in contemporary music and culture. (Variety)

Dua Lipa closed her Radical Optimism Tour with an emotional tribute to the late Queen of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla, performing her 7x-platinum 1994 hit, "Amor Prohibido," at Mexico City’s GNP Seguros Stadium on Friday night (December 5). Addressing the crowd of 65,000, Lipa expressed a deep bond with Selena through their shared dual nationality – hers Albanian-English, Selena’s Mexican-American – with the singer proclaiming, “I chose this song because I feel a very special connection with this artist and with her feeling of belonging to two places at the same time.” Over three sold-out shows in Mexico, Lipa also surprised fans with a cover of the beloved Latin classic, “Bésame Mucho” by Consuelo Velázquez, while also singing a duet with Fher Olvera from Maná on the band’s hit, “Oye Mi Amor,” highlighting the profound bond she built with fans and local artists throughout her 92-date world tour. (Billboard)

On Friday (December 5), Lily Allen announced the dates and details of her biggest North American tour to date in 2026, performing her recently released album, West End Girl, in full each night. The nine-city tour, dubbed ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl,’ kicks off on April 3 in Chicago, and includes stops in Toronto, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles, before concluding on April 28 in San Francisco. Allen has additional UK and European dates scheduled before and after the North American run. Ticket presale begins Wednesday (December 10), followed by a general on-sale on Friday (Dec. 12). Released in October, West End Girl is Allen’s first album in seven years and documents her messy public divorce with Stranger Things actor David Harbour. Allen will also appear as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on December 13 with host Josh O’Connor. (Consequence of Sound)

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the eighth nonconsecutive week, rising up two places from its previous ranking at No. 3, with 99,000 equivalent album units sold in the U.S. during the week ending December 4. The 12% increase was driven by Black Friday retail promotions and newly available signed CDs on Swift’s webstore. Of the total sales units, 53,000 were from streaming – while its 69.38 million on-demand streams  maintains its No. 2 spot on Top Streaming Albums chart –  and 46,000 were from album sales, up 121% from the previous tracking period.

Holiday music makes a significant impact on the Top 10 this week, as Michael Bublé’s former chart-topper, Christmas, climbs six places to reach No. 6, while Bing Crosby’s Ultimate Christmas rises nine spots to claim No. 7, and Vince Guaraldi Trio’s beloved soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas returns to the  Top 10 for the first time in nearly three years, as it surges nine slots to reach No. 9. The upper tier of the Top 10 features a series of former No. 1s, as Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem rises two places to No. 2, while the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack jumps two spot to No. 3, and Stray Kids’ DO IT falls three places to No. 4 one week after debuting at No. 1. The Wicked: For Good soundtrack drops three spots to No. 5 in its second frame on the chart, while Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving falls one slot to No. 8, and Tate McRae’s So Close To What falls four places to No. 10. (Billboard)

President Donald Trump presented the 2024 Kennedy Center honorees – including KISS, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, and Michael Crawford – with their medals during a ceremony on Sunday (December 6) in the Oval Office, praising them as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class” ever assembled. He lauded each for their significant contributions to American arts and culture, calling Strait the “king of country,” Gaynor the “disco queen,” Stallone a “true, great movie star,” Crawford a “great star of Broadway,” and KISS as an “incredible rock band,” and “among the greatest artists, actors and performers of their generation. The greatest that we’ve seen.” The President complimented this year’s honorees as a group of “incredible people” who represent the “very best in American arts and culture,” while adding, “This is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans.” (NME)

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday (December 3), Gwen Stefani shared her excitement about No Doubt’s upcoming reunion for a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas in 2026. The initial 12 shows in May quickly sold-out, so they added six additional "final" dates in June. “We’re excited,” she told Fallon. “We did Coachella (in 2024) and it was so unbelievably amazing. And we were talking for a while, and trying to find that thing that would be as good. And I think the Sphere is, like, the future. It’s kind of a cross between a concert and a movie.” Stefani aims to create a “really nostalgic” experience for fans, blending concert and cinematic elements as they carefully plan the setlist. Meanwhile, Stefani has embraced the holiday season with a new Christmas song, “Shake the Snow Globe,” featured in the holiday film, Oh. What. Fun., and an updated deluxe version of her festive 2017 album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (December 3), Lily Allen launched a provocative new merch line featuring USB flash drives shaped like sex toys that contain songs from her first album in seven years, West End Girl. “Limited merch drop, live now 🍑🔌,” Allen cheekily captioned her post, alongside a photo of her suggestively holding the product, which underscores the album’s unflinching approach to personal and sexual themes. Priced at $33.99, the novelty drives reflect the album’s candid exploration of her recent divorce from actor David Harbour, including tracks like “Pu**y Palace” that reveal intimate details of betrayal and heartbreak. Allen was married to the Stranger Things star for four years before separating in February, with the singer describing the process of creating the album as “an act of desperation.” “I wasn’t even really thinking about it as a commercial endeavor,” Allen told CBS Mornings. “Since I’ve put it out, it’s felt completely and utterly liberating.” (Billboard)

On Thursday (December 4), Rosalía announced the dates and details of her largest headlining tour to date, the Lux Tour 2026. The 42-date global trek is set to begin on March 16 in Lyon, France, and will span 17 countries across Europe, North America, and South America in support of her acclaimed fourth album, Lux. The tour features multiple nights in Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City, with stops in major arenas including Milan, London, and Rio de Janeiro, before concluding on September 3 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The North American leg of Rosalía’s Lux Tour kicks off on June 4 at Miami’s Kaseya Center, with high-profile stops at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, New York’s Madison Square Garden, Chicago’s United Center, Houston’s Toyota Center, Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, with a final show at the Oakland Arena on July 6. Tickets go on sale on Thursday (December 11), with a pre-sale for select North American dates starting on Tuesday (December 9). (Billboard) 

On Thursday (December 4), Variety named Sabrina Carpenter their 2025 Hitmaker of the Year. In the cover story feature, Carpenter reflects on her breakthrough year filled with career milestones, from winning her first two Grammys, to a sold-out Short N’ Sweet world tour, and hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live. The 26-year-old singer emphatically shed her Disney Channel image with her provocative seventh album, Man’s Best Friend, and risqué live show, which drew complaints from fans who wanted her to maintain her squeaky clean image. “It’s not my fault I got a job when I was 12 and you won’t let me evolve,” she says. The album debuted at No. 1 and earned Carpenter six more Grammy nominations, including Album, Song, and Record of the Year, which sets her up for an even bigger year in 2026. After closing out her tour with a six-night stand in Los Angeles, Carpenter is ready to take a break from the road and focus on her next move. “Music is always going to be my true No. 1, but there’s something really special about playing an incredible role,” she replies. “So I would say No. 1 is music and No. 1½ is acting.” (Variety)

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer known for shaping the Memphis soul sound with Stax Records, died on Wednesday (December 3) at the age of 84. No cause of death has been shared as of yet. “While we mourn the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find comfort knowing that Steve will live forever through his music,” his family said in a statement. “Every note he played, every song he wrote, and every artist he inspired ensures that his spirit and artistry will continue to move people for generations to come.” As a founding member of the Mar-Keys, who eventually became Booker T. & The MG’s (fronted by Mar-Keys keyboardist Booker T. Jones) and the Stax house band, Cropper played on and co-wrote iconic tracks such as "Green Onions," Wilson Pickett’s "In the Midnight Hour," and Otis Redding’s "(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay," helping define the contemporary sound of soul and R&B music.

Revered for his distinctive, soulful guitar style, he went on to collaborate with numerous artists including John Lennon, Ringo Starr, the Blues Brothers, and Neil Young, and produced albums for major acts like the Jeff Beck Group, John Prine, and John Mellencamp. Cropper’s indelible musical contributions earned him two Grammys as well as the Grammys’ lifetime achievement award in 2007, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. & the MG’s, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of modern music’s most influential guitarists. (Rolling Stone)

Lizzo reflected on her experiences with public backlash and cancellation in a new Substack essay, suggesting that everyone should be "cancelled at least once" in order to learn from it. Raised in a strict Pentecostal church, she contrasted her efforts to be a “good person” with the harsh judgment she faces online, where sensitivity is high and “the court of public opinion is always ready to be judge, jury and executioner.” She addressed her past controversies, including accusations of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment from former employees – claims she denied and which were partially dismissed – and the challenges of navigating public scrutiny in an era of polarized morals. She emphasized that no one can avoid making mistakes or upsetting people in today’s climate, while writing that “You aren’t getting out of this thing without unintentionally hurting someone’s feelings.” (NME)

During an interaction with a fan following a Q&A at Gateshead College in England on Tuesday (December 2), Matty Healy revealed that The 1975 have recorded two new albums, with at least one of the projects – and possibly both – entitled DOGS. The brief conversation was shared on TikTok, with the fan asking Healy about the significance of “DOGS” being scrawled on George Daniels’ drum kit during the band’s Glastonbury performance, and if that was the name of their upcoming album. “We made two,” Healy responds, while adding, “It might be one, it might be two, but yeah, we’ve made two albums.”  This upcoming release(s) will follow their 2022 UK No. 1 album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, which Healy has been revisiting as of late, recently removing the track “Human Too” from streaming services in order to make the record “more how I want it to be.” (Rolling Stone)

The Wicked: For Good soundtrack, led by the film’s stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, debuted in the Top 10 across seven Billboard charts this week. The album reached No. 1 on the Soundtracks and Vinyl Albums charts, and No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200, marking 2025’s biggest soundtrack debut with 122,000 equivalent album units, while also notching the highest chart premiere for a soundtrack since the first Wicked soundtrack also opened at No. 2 one year earlier. The album also ranked highly on Top Album Sales (No. 2), Top Current Album Sales (No. 2), Indie Store Album Sales (No. 4), and Top Streaming Albums (No. 6). Additionally, four songs from the soundtrack entered the Billboard Hot 100, with Erivo and Grande’s duet, “For Good,” leading the way at No. 43. Wicked: For Good, which premiered on Nov. 21, has grossed over $270 million domestically, and follows the success of the 2024 Wicked film that earned 10 Oscar nominations and two wins. (Billboard)

Bad Bunny dominates Spotify’s 2025 year-end Wrapped campaign, securing the No. 1 spot as the Global Top Artist with over 19.8 billion streams, ahead of Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, and leading the Global Top Albums chart with DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. This marks Benito’s fourth time being recognized as Spotify’s global streaming leader, after ruling the rankings in 2020, 2021 and 2022. His single “DtMF” ranks No. 5 globally, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile” tops the global songs chart, followed by Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” at No. 2, while Mars' collab with Blackpink’s Rosé, “APT.” comes in at No. 3, and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” is No. 4. Swift is the top U.S. artist (after coming in second globally), while Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem is the most streamed album in the U.S., and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s joint track, “Luther,” was the most streamed song in America. Bad Bunny’s continued streaming success sets the stage for his Super Bowl Halftime Show headlining performance in February, while reinforcing his status as one of the world’s biggest artists in 2025. (Billboard)

During a new episode of his New Heights podcast, Travis Kelce revealed that he and Taylor Swift have never once argued in their two and a half years of dating. During a conversation with the show’s special guest, George Clooney, the Hollywood superstar disclosed that he has never fought with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, in the 10 years that they’ve been a couple. The two-time Oscar winner then asked if Travis and Taylor have ever gotten into a spat, with Kelce replying proudly, “Well, it’s only been two and a half years, and you’re right. I haven’t gotten into an argument. Never once.” The couple, who got engaged in August, head into their third Christmas together conflict-free and with big projects on the horizon. Swift is releasing two new film projects on Disney+ on December 12, the six-part docuseries, The End of An Era, and The Eras Tour: The Final Show, while Kelce is trying to qualify for the NFL playoffs and make it to his fourth Super Bowl in a row with the Kansas City Chiefs. (Billboard) 

Tim McGraw paid a heartfelt tribute to his daughter Gracie by sharing a video of her powerful mash-up covers of Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain” and Chappell Roan’s “Picture You” during a recent performance at Joe’s Pub in New York. McGraw proudly captioned the post, “We had a blast (and a few tears) catching our oldest girl Gracie’s show at Joes Pub in NYC a few weeks ago!” Gracie, an accomplished actor and vocalist who has clearly inherited the singing prowess of her famous parents, McGraw and Faith Hill, previously collaborated with her father on his 2015 song “Here Tonight.” In addition to her well-received club show, Gracie impressed viewers with her commanding performance during the PBS Special, American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute, which aired on Veterans Day. Meanwhile, McGraw prepares to launch his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace later this week, stepping in for Dolly Parton, who had to postpone her performances due to health issues. (Holler)

On Tuesday (December 2), Gorillaz announced on social media that they will bring their immersive ‘House of Kong’ exhibit and full-album performances of their upcoming LP, The Mountain, to Los Angeles this February. The exhibition – which previously ran in London this summer – will be on display at Rolling Greens from February 26 to March 19, with two special concerts planned at the Hollywood Palladium on February 22 and 23. Created by Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, artist and illustrator Jamie Hewlett, and creative director Stephen Gallagher, the exhibit offers a multi-media journey through the band’s unique history and creative evolution. “House of Kong is not a retrospective, it’s an audio-visual artwork; an installation that takes a glance backwards in order to identify the path ahead,” Gallagher said in a statement. Presale ticket holders for the exhibit gain exclusive access to the Palladium shows, while The Mountain is set for release on March 20 via the band's own label, Kong, the day after the L.A. exhibit closes. (Rolling Stone)

Taylor Swift just released the official trailer for her new concert film, The Eras Tour: The Final Show, which will premiere on Disney+ on December 12. The film is directed by Glenn Weiss and produced by Taylor Swift Productions and Silent House Productions, and it captures the emotional last performance of her record-breaking Eras Tour in Vancouver on December 8. “We’ve had so long to prepare for the end of this tour and we get to play one last show for you here tonight,” Swift shares with the audience in the trailer. “I want to thank every single one of you for being a part of the most thrilling chapter of my entire life to date.” The release coincides with the debut of the first two episodes of The End of an Era, a six-part docuseries also on Disney+ that offers behind-the-scenes footage of tour rehearsals with surprise guest appearances and insights into Swift’s personal life. (Rolling Stone)

Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit “APT.” dominated Apple Music’s 2025 global year-end charts, topping multiple categories including the overall Global Songs, Shazam, Radio, and Lyrics charts. While Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s chart-topping collaboration, “Luther,” secured the No. 2 spot, with Lamar placing five songs in the Top 25 and nine in the Top 100. Other notable entries include Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Lola Young’s “Messy,” and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” which all ranked highly on the Global Songs and Global Radio charts, while Morgan Wallen led all artists with the most Top 100 entries, as a total of 12 of his songs appeared on the tally. Apple Music’s global year-end charts was released to coincide with its annual Apple Replay ’25, which provides users with a comprehensive look back at their listening habits over the past year. (Variety)