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 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 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), 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)

The 2026 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, set for June 11-14 in Manchester, Tennessee, will be headlined by Skrillex, The Strokes, Turnstile, Rüfüs Du Sol, Teddy Swims, Noah Kahan, and Kesha, with additional performances by Yungblud, Mt. Joy, The Neighbourhood, Alabama Shakes, Geese, Lil Jon, Clipse, Wet Leg, and many more acts set to play across the ground's 10 stages. Skrillex will open the festival on Thursday night alongside Four Tet and Vince Staples, while Friday features The Strokes and Turnstile, Saturday showcases Rüfüs Du Sol and Teddy Swims, and Sunday highlights Noah Kahan, Kesha – who will also curate a special SuperJam event dubbed “Kesha Presents: Superjam Esoterica: The Alchemy of Pop” – and Role Model. The event promises numerous upgrades to the festival grounds, including improved drainage and 135 acres of newly installed turf following last year’s weather-related cancellation that flooded the campgrounds. Tickets go on sale on Friday (December 5) at 10 a.m. CT. (Billboard)

Mariah Carey, Chappell Roan, and Post Malone lead the diverse lineup of performers set to be featured on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest special that will ring in 2026. Other acts set to perform at the annual holiday event include KPop Demon Hunters chart-topping trio HUNTR/X featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Maren Morris, 50 Cent, Little Big Town, Demi Lovato, Jordan Davis, New Kids on the Block, Jessie Murph, Tucker Wetmore, and OneRepublic. The celebration, co-hosted by Seacrest and Rita Ora from Times Square, includes DJ Cassidy’s “Pass the Mic Live!” featuring Busta Rhymes, T.I., and Wyclef Jean, with an additional Times Square headliner performing just before midnight who will be announced soon. This will be the show's longest telecast to date, with the ABC broadcast running from 8 p.m. ET on December 31 until 4 a.m. ET on January 1, with a first-ever live countdown from Chicago led by Chance the Rapper, alongside live festivities in New York, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico. The event will be simulcast on 150 iHeartRadio stations and available to stream on Hulu the following day. (Variety)

Miley Cyrus is engaged to musician Maxx Morando, her boyfriend of four years and collaborator on her last two albums. The engagement was confirmed by their red carpet appearance on Monday (December 1) at the Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere where the 33-year-old Cyrus showed off a bespoke cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche. The couple, who first met on a blind date in 2021, have otherwise kept their engagement private, with no public statements yet from either of them. The 27-year-old Morando is a drummer in the band Lily, and has been a significant influence on Cyrus’s recent projects, working on two tracks — "Handstand" and "Violet Chemistry" — from her 2023 album, Endless Summer Vacation, while producing several songs on her ninth album, Something Beautiful, and co-writing the title track. This marks a new chapter for Cyrus following her 2017 marriage to actor Liam Hemsworth that ended with a divorce in 2020. (People)

On Sunday (November 30), Rihanna celebrated a historic milestone as her album, Anti, became the first record by a Black female solo artist to spend 500 nonconsecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, ranking No. 134 on the Dec. 6 chart. Despite not putting out a full album since Anti was released in January 2016, the critically acclaimed LP, featuring hits like the Grammy-nominated “Work” and “Needed Me,” continues to resonate widely. Rihanna responded to the achievement on X with the joyous message, “God ain’t forget bout me!” In addition to marking this music milestone, Rihanna also took to X earlier that same day to honor her home country, Barbados, on its 59th Independence anniversary and its 4th year as a republic, congratulating its new president, Jeffrey Bostic, and the leadership of Prime Minister Mia Mottley. “Barbados I  L🇧🇧VE  YOU!!!!,” she wrote, alongside tranquil photos of her homeland. (Billboard)

On Monday (December 1), Nick Jonas announced the details of his first solo album in five years, Sunday Best, which is set for release on February 6. The 11-track LP serves as the follow-up to 2021’s Spaceman, and was inspired by his life as a husband to Priyanka Chopra and father to their daughter Malti. “I’m so excited to share these new stories and snapshots of my life over these past few years,” Jonas said in a statement. “And while this album was made over the course of the last two years, it was truly 33 years in the making.” This will be Nick’s fifth solo album, which have generated eight Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the Top 10 single “Jealous.” Nick will tour with his siblings Joe and Kevin in celebration of the Jonas Brothers' 20th anniversary through the end of 2025, including a performance at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on New Year’s Eve. (Billboard)

Brandi Carlile, Charlie Puth, and Coco Jones will provide the pregame entertainment before Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026. Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful,” while Puth will sing the National Anthem, and Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” “Super Bowl Sunday is the world’s biggest entertainment stage, and we’re proud to spotlight artists who embody the very best of music and culture,” said Jon Barker, senior vice president of global event production for the NFL. “These artists bring a distinct voice to the moment, helping set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world.” The NFL previously announced that Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show, with both the pregame and halftime performances set to feature American Sign Language interpretations. The Super Bowl will air live on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock. (Variety)

Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart for an eighth consecutive week, tying her 2022 hit, "Anti-Hero," as her longest-leading No. 1. The song – which debuted at No. 1 in mid-October and has maintained the top spot ever since – earned 21.6 million streams, 62.1 million radio impressions, and 25,000 sales in the U.S. from November 21-27, boosted by a newly released remix with The Chainsmokers. "The Fate of Ophelia" marks Swift’s signature 13th No. 1 hit of her career, and the current chart-topping run adds to her record 26 weeks spent at No. 1 by her eight No. 1 singles in the 2020s, with both totals the most among all artists this decade. "Ophelia" is also the first song since Olivia Rodrigo’s 2021 hit, "Drivers License," to spend its first eight weeks at No. 1, and is among only eight songs in Billboard Hot 100 history to debut at No. 1 and hold that position for at least eight straight weeks.

Elsewhere in the Top 10, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” jumps up three spots this week to reach No. 5, while three additional holiday songs surge into the Top 10 to join the Queen of Christmas, as Wham!’s “Last Christmas” vaults up five slots to No. 6, Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” bounds up six places to No. 7, and Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” rises six spots to No. 8. The Top 10 is rounded out by HUNTR/X’s “Golden” holding at No. 2, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” remaining at No. 3, Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” sticking at its No. 4 peak, Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” drops three places to No. 9 – while simultaneously moving up one spot to take over No. 1 on Billboard's Radio Songs chart – and Swift’s “Opalite” falls five spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

Kelly Clarkson has joined Spotify’s Billions Club as her 2004 hit, “Since U Been Gone,” officially surpassed 1 billion streams, marking her first song to reach this milestone on the platform. The Grammy-winning pop-rock anthem, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005, was produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke and earned multiple MTV Video Music Awards. Clarkson has reflected positively on the song’s impact and its memorable, destructive music video shoot. “I love what the song does for people,” Clarkson said of the track in a 2020 interview with Apple Music, adding that her “favorite memory was the fact that I got to show up to a video shoot and completely trash an apartment. That video was possibly one of my favorite videos ever to make.” While “Since U Been Gone” is her only current billion-stream track, other hits like “Underneath the Tree,” “Because of You,” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” also boast impressive streaming numbers exceeding 800 million. (Billboard)

Detroit music legends Eminem and Jack White shared the stage for the first time during the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day halftime show at Ford Field, an event co-executive produced by the rap superstar and his longtime manager Paul Rosenberg. White performed a seven-minute set that included the arena anthem, “Seven Nation Army,” and “That’s How I’m Feeling,” while Eminem surprised the crowd by joining midway for a mashup of his “Till I Collapse” with the White Stripes’ “Hello Operator.” The performance celebrated Detroit’s rich musical heritage, while coinciding with White’s recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and the tenth anniversary of his Third Man Records. The show also launched a new three-year partnership involving the Lions and Eminem’s team, with the live halftime collaboration released immediately after the performance on all streaming platforms, along with limited edition event merchandise from both artists. Grammy-winning Detroit native CeCe Winans added to the hometown pride by singing the National Anthem before the game. (Billboard)

Dua Lipa stars in a new NBC Sports ad promoting the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The commercial is set to Lipa’s Radical Optimism standout, “Training Season,” and features the pop superstar strolling through the city’s iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II as it transforms into a winter wonderland, while she proclaims, “Milan, such a cool place. And when the Winter Olympics arrive, it’ll get even cooler when these incredible women hit the world stage.” Lipa shouts out top American female athletes like veteran alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, figure skater Alysa Liu, record-setting alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, and Gold medal-winning snowboarder Chloe Kim, whom Lipa calls “levitating,” in reference to her Diamond-certified 2020 hit single. “As a global music and fashion icon, Dua Lipa perfectly embodies Milan’s spirit — cool, confident, and world-class,” says NBC Sports executive Joseph Lee in a statement. The 2026 Winter Olympics begin on February 6, airing on NBC and Peacock. (Rolling Stone)

Following Olivia Dean’s public criticism of Ticketmaster and Live Nation for allowing excessive resale prices on her upcoming The Art of Loving Tour, Ticketmaster announced it will cap future resale ticket prices with no added fees and refund fans for any previous markups paid on their platform. In an Instagram Story on November 21, Dean condemned the resale pricing as “vile,” while adding, “Live music should be affordable and accessible, and we need to find a new way of making that possible. BE BETTER.” Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino supported Dean’s demands in a post on the company’s website, where he wrote: “While we can’t require other marketplaces to honor artists’ resale preferences, we echo Olivia’s call to ‘Do Better’ and have taken steps to lead by example.” Ticketmaster’s review found that under 20% of tickets were resold, mostly by genuine fans, and plans to issue partial refunds by early December for those who paid inflated resale prices. Dean’s North American tour is scheduled to run from July to August next year. (Rolling Stone)

Stray Kids secured their record eighth consecutive No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 with their new album, DO IT, which earned 295,000 equivalent album units – including 286,000 from traditional sales – in the week ending November 27. Continuing their historic streak that began with ODDINARY in 2022, the K-pop group remains the first act to ever debut at No. 1 with their first eight Billboard 200 entries since the chart’s inception in 1956, while also extending their record as the group with the most No. 1 albums this century. In the process, Stray Kids also dethroned Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl from its seven-week reign at No. 1 following its October 3 release, with the album slipping two spots to No. 3. Other significant moves in this week’s Top 10 include the Wicked: For Good soundtrack making a strong debut at No. 2, while Tate McRae’s So Close to What vaults up 15 places to reach No. 6 following a deluxe reissue with bonus songs.

The Hazbin Hotel: Season Two soundtrack surges 62 spots up the chart to reach No. 8 after its first full week of chart activity, while Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD’s new collaborative project, One More Time, premieres at No. 9, the first Top 10 appearance for the British singer. Aerosmith, meanwhile, joins the Rolling Stones as the only band to score one newly-charting Top 10 in every decade from the 1970s through the 2020s. The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem sliding one spot to No. 4, while the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack remains at No. 5, marking the first time in six years that three soundtracks placed in the Billboard 200 Top 10. Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving holds at No. 7, while Summer Walker’s Finally Over It falls eight spots to No. 10, after debuting at No. 2. (Billboard)