Blood Orange continues to share previews of his first album in six years, Essex Honey, with the release of two new singles on Thursday (July 17): "Mind Loaded" featuring Lorde, Mustafa, and Caroline Polachek, and "Somewhere in Between." This continues the recent collaboration between Lorde and Blood Orange mastermind, Dev Hynes, who did production work on the pop superstar’s new album, Virgin. Essex Honey, set for release on August 29, explores themes of sorrow and escapism, with Hynes collaborating with a diverse range of artists, including Daniel Caesar, Tirzah, the Durutti Column, Wet’s Kelly Zutrau, and author Zadie Smith, marking the first time she has lent her singing voice to an album. “Essex Honey is an album tinted with grief and loss, working towards acceptance and resolution, at a time when the culture is collectively feeling grief and loss, collectively trying to work towards resolution and acceptance,” reads a press release for the album. (Rolling Stone)

In a new video shared on Thursday (July 17), New Kids on the Block take fans behind the scenes of their just-completed Las Vegas residency, The Right Stuff. The clip showcases the chart-topping boy band’s blend of nostalgic hits with modern showmanship, including an extravagant Vegas stage show featuring aerial stunts and immersive special effects. “I think probably the biggest creative decision is walking the tight rope of bringing New Kids to Vegas and bringing Vegas to the New Kids, and not going too far in either direction," said Donnie Wahlberg of the residency. "It takes us outside of our comfort zone a little but having fun and being creative is also part of our comfort zone." As they prepare for their upcoming residency dates in November 2025 and February 2026, NKOTB emphasizes the importance of connecting with both devoted fans and Las Vegas visitors through their one-of-a-kind production. (People)

On Thursday (July 17), Kaytranada and Justice announced the dates and details of their fall 2025 co-headlining North America arena tour. The 13-date jaunt kicks off on October 16 in Vancouver, stopping in major music markets like Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Atlanta, before concluding on November 16 in Miami. The official tour poster includes a yet-to-be-revealed date between stops in Oakland and San Diego, with fans speculating that it may be a special show planned for Los Angeles. The upcoming tour continues the ongoing collaboration between the electronic artists, who shared the stage at Miami’s III Points Festival last October, with Kaytranada later remixing Justice’s 2024 single, "Neverender," which features Tame Impala. Presale tickets for the tour go on-sale on July 22, with general on-sale starting on Friday (July 25). (Rolling Stone)

Following the cancellation of this year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival due to heavy rains, event organizers initially cast doubts on whether the festival would return next year. Yet on Thursday (July 17), they officially announced that the festival will return to Manchester, Tennessee from June 11-14, 2026, with modifications to the grounds to prevent future cancellations. The plans include removing flood-prone campsite areas, which “will result in a reduced capacity on The Farm (more dancing space).” They also will start allowing entry to the campgrounds on Wednesday, to avoid the typical long lines of festivalgoers trying to access the site on Thursday. Additional improvements include “reseeding the property, continuing to increase access roads within the campgrounds, adding more drainage and reinforcing primary water runoff pathways.” After considering switching the festival dates to a drier season, Bonnaroo will retain its traditional June timeframe based on consultations with weather experts, with plans for the 2026 festival to “kick things off Thursday evening on the What Stage with an epic welcome party.” (Rolling Stone)

Connie Francis, known for memorable ‘50s And ‘60s hits like "Where the Boys Are" and "Who's Sorry Now?", has died at 87. Her death was confirmed by her friend Ron Roberts, and while the cause of death is unknown, Francis had been hospitalized earlier this month due to "extreme pain." Her career began in the mid-1950s, and she became the best-selling female singer of the era starting with her 1958 hit, “Who’s Sorry Now,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100 chart. Francis became the first female artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100, with her pair of No. 1 hits in 1960, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” and “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.” Francis’ classic track, “Where the Boys Are,” peaked at No. 4 and served as the title tune for Francis’ breakout movie role in 1960. Francis scored her third and final No. 1 single, “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You,” in 1962.

A series of personal traumas and tragedies kept Francis out of the spotlight over the following decades, with the singer announcing her retirement in 2018. However, she achieved unexpected success earlier this year as her 1962 single, “Pretty Little Baby,” became a viral hit on TikTok, reaching No. 1 on their music charts, after more than 1.3 million posts used it as a soundtrack in May alone. A video for the song has over 32 million views on YouTube, becoming Francis’ most popular video. “I am thrilled and overwhelmed at the success of ‘Pretty Little Baby,’” Francis said in a statement in May. “I recorded that song 63 years ago and to know that an entire new generation now knows who I am, and my music is thrilling to me.” (Rolling Stone)

In the first half of 2025 in the United States, Morgan Wallen’s chart-topping album, I’m the Problem, and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s hit song, “Luther,” led Luminate’s midyear rankings. I'm the Problem earned 2.562 million equivalent album units, while “Luther” was the most-streamed song with 530.4 million on-demand audio streams. 2025’s Top 5 most popular albums are rounded out by (in order) SZA’s SOS, Lamar’s GNX, Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet. Total U.S. album sales declined by 6% over last year, while U.S. physical album sales dipped by 3.2%, and U.S. digital album purchases fell 17.7%.

However, if you excluded Taylor Swift albums from the year-over-year comparisons, then both total U.S. album sales and U.S. physical album sales would have increased over last year, since sales were boosted in 2024 by Swift’s smash hit album, The Tortured Poets Department, while streaming numbers increased surrounding her blockbuster Eras Tour. The rest of the Top 5 most streamed songs in the U.S. included (in order) Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” Lamar’s “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay and “Not Like Us,” and Drake’s “NOKIA.” (Billboard)

On Monday (July 15), Sabrina Carpenter reflected on the third anniversary of her 2022 album, Emails I Can’t Send. The two-time Grammy winner expressed gratitude for the lessons learned and connections made through the music, noting the album's role in paving the way for her subsequent successes in hit songs like “Espresso” and “Taste” from her chart-topping 2024 album, Short n’ Sweet. “3 years of my dear emails,” Carpenter wrote in an Instagram Story. “This album means so much to me and was the gateway to many special moments I couldn’t see ahead. I will never take this chapter for granted and what it taught me and how much closer it brought me to each and every one of you.” To mark the milestone, Carpenter is releasing the first-ever vinyl edition of 2023's deluxe version of the album, Emails I Can’t Send Fwd. (Rolling Stone)

After Sam Fender had to withdraw from Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival due to a hemorrhaged vocal cord, Benson Boone was elevated to headliner on Tuesday (July 15), offering a cover of Fender's 2021 Top 3 UK hit, "Seventeen Going Under," for the audience. Boone admitted to the crowd that he was “terrified” to be filling in for Fender, before introducing his cover by saying, “I really hope that the people who came to see Sam today can get just five per cent out of this song. It’s a beautiful song.” Fender also pulled out of upcoming festival appearances at Rock Werchter, Down the Rabbit Hole, and NOS Alive, and shared his disappointment on Instagram: “I’m so sorry to everybody who is coming to those festivals with our show in mind. I hate letting people down and I hate not being able to sing for weeks as it is my only real passion in life. I hope that I’m able to make it up to you down the line.” (Rolling Stone)

Nicki Minaj and SZA got into a heated feud on social media on Tuesday (July 15), with Minaj launching into a lengthy diatribe on X and her Stationhead channel where the Grammy-nominated rapper blasted the chart-topping R&B superstar. “Wait. Does Sza think she’s more successful than me? Lol yall catch me up pls,” Nicki wrote. “Sza if every song you’ve ever done vanished right now the music business wouldn’t even miss you.” SZA initially got involved in the online spat by responding to Nicki’s criticism of Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson by writing “Mercury retrograde .. don’t take the bait lol silly goose.” Minaj later responded, “Boo im an icon. You’re not. The end.” Regardless of the dispute, both artists have achieved significant success in their careers, with SZA’s SOS remaining in the Top Five of the Billboard 200 years after its 2022 release, and has spent 135 weeks on the chart, while Minaj holds the record for the most Billboard 200 No. 1 albums by a female rapper, and has scored 149 Billboard Hot 100 hits. (Billboard)

Ariana Grande took to Instagram on Wednesday (July 16) to assure fans that she isn’t quitting music to focus entirely on film. “Very silly of you all to assume that just because i have my hands full with many things that i plan to abandon singing & music!” Grande wrote alongside a video clip of her performing “Into You” at the 2024 Met Gala. “It is and has always been my lifeline. there will need to be room made for all of it. 🧚🏼‍♂️” Grande explained that she is feeling “grateful and excited and inspired,” and is currently “finding a balance between many projects and endeavors i love, and doing it my own way… so i’m working on a plan to sing for you all next year. even if it’s just for a little.” Though Grande released her Grammy-nominated album Eternal Sunshine in 2024, she hasn’t toured since 2019's Sweetener World Tour. Grande is starring in the upcoming Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, which hits theaters on November 21. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift’s father, Scott, recently underwent successful quintuple bypass heart surgery after a routine check-up revealed a need for the procedure. No other specific details were provided, though the surgery was not precipitated by a heart attack. The 73-year-old is said to be recovering well, with support provided by Taylor, her brother Austin, and Scott’s wife Andrea. Scott’s heart procedure adds to the Swift family’s recent history of health challenges, including both Scott and Andrea’s battles with cancer. “I’ve had to learn how to handle serious illness in my family,” Swift wrote in a 2019 essay for Elle. “It’s taught me that there are real problems and then there’s everything else. My mom’s cancer is a real problem. I used to be so anxious about daily ups and downs. I give all of my worry, stress, and prayers to real problems now.” Taylor has incorporated those emotional ordeals into her music, like in the 2019 Lover track, “Soon You’ll Get Better,” which was inspired by her mom’s illness. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (July 15), Ashe and Finneas announced that they will be embarking on An Evening With the Favors Tour in support of their debut collaborative album, The Dream, which is set for release on September 19. The headlining tour – the duo’s first proper shows as The Favors – is scheduled to kick off on September 18 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, with additional performances at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on September 26, and Central Park Summerstage in New York City on October 1, followed by two appearances at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 3 and 10. Tickets for select shows will be available starting on Friday (July 18). Finneas and Ashe will be accompanied by their collaborators Marinelli and Ricky "Rat" Gourmet on the road, and the duo have already teased their forthcoming album with two previously released singles, "The Hudson" and "The Little Mess You Made." (Rolling Stone)

Drake's recent surprise release track, "What Did I Miss?," debuts at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this week. This achievement marks a record-extending 31st chart-topper for the Toronto rapper, while solidifying his place as the act with the most weeks at No. 1 with 140 total weeks. The song also earns Drake his 21st No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart, and 15th career leader on the Digital Song Sales survey. Additionally, "What Did I Miss?" knocks Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther" off the top spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, after it spent a record 28 weeks at No. 1 between December-July. This chart battle continues Drake's ongoing rap feud with his rival Lamar, with the Canadian hip-hop superstar hinting at a forthcoming project rumored to be titled, Iceman, that will feature his new chart-topping hit. (Billboard)

The first trailer has been shared for the upcoming Eminem documentary, Stans, which delves into the rapper's career and music, while also exploring the stories of some of his most passionate fans. The film, directed by Steven Leckhart and co-produced by Eminem himself, will screen at participating AMC Theatres in a limited run beginning on August 7. Stans offers a deep dive into Eminem's complex relationship with his dedicated followers, providing insights into the 15-time Grammy winner’s creative process as well as examining the mystique surrounding his public persona.

“Through stylized recreations, rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and an exclusive original interview with Eminem himself, it offers a raw, loud, and revealing journey across his career — and the passionate audience that has grown with him,” reads a synopsis of the film, which premiered at SXSW London in June. The project will also be accompanied by an original soundtrack containing previously unreleased music. (Rolling Stone)

During an interview on Good Morning America on Tuesday (July 15), Miley Cyrus candidly discussed her hesitation about touring again, citing the difficulty of maintaining sobriety and mental wellness while on the road. “I do have the physical ability, and I have the opportunities to tour,” she shared. “I wish I had the desire, but I don’t. It’s really hard to maintain sobriety when you’re on the road, which is a really important pillar of stability in my life.”

The 32-year-old pop superstar also reflected on her surprise guest performance with Beyoncé at a recent Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Paris, where they performed their Grammy-winning duet, "II Most Wanted." “I stood toe-to-toe with Beyoncé,” Cyrus says with pride. “When you’re standing beside her, you can actually feel her desire and her passion.” Bey gave Cyrus a warm hug and kiss on the cheek after their collaboration, with Miley reflecting, “That to me is a win. It’s not a trophy, it’s not something physical that you hold or put on a shelf, but it’s something that I have that’s a true win.” (Billboard)

Beyoncé's 2024 Netflix special, Beyoncé Bowl, which captured her halftime show performance during an NFL game on Christmas Day, has earned the musician double Emmy nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special and Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards. This marks Beyoncé's return to the Emmy Awards after she received four nominations in 2019 for Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé, with the singer still awaiting her first Emmy win. The special, which Beyoncé co-directed with Alex Rudzinski, is also up for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special nomination.

In additional Bey news, prior to her Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Atlanta, hard drives containing the singer’s unreleased music, footage plans for her show, and past and future set lists were stolen according to a police report. The theft was reported by Beyoncé’s choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue, who disclosed that two suitcases filled with the musician's sensitive information were stolen from their car. Amid the investigation, a pair of AirPods taken from the vehicle led officers to a suspect, although no charges have been made public. (Rolling Stone)

At the FIFA Club World Cup Final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday (July 13), Coldplay made a surprise appearance during the halftime show, which also featured performances by J Balvin, Tems, Doja Cat, and Emmanuel Kelly. The 15-minute set, presented by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, opened with J Balvin's "Mi Gente," followed by Tems performing "Love Me JeJe," and Balvin returning for "Reggaeton." Doja Cat performed "Woman" before Coldplay closed the show, with Chris Martin and Emmanuel Kelly duetting "A Sky Full of Stars." The performance aimed to raise $100 million for global education access, and took place on an innovative stage setup in the upper level of the stadium. “By building our platform high in the stands, we ensured that the newly installed natural grass remains untouched while delivering an unforgettable show that is designed to be time-efficient and visually stunning,” said Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen. (Rolling Stone)

Drake headlined all three nights of London's Wireless Festival over the weekend, where the Toronto rap superstar brought out a series of high profile special guests, including Lauryn Hill, 21 Savage, Sexxy Red, Burna Boy, Vanessa Carlton, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Latto, Bryson Tiller, and more. The biggest headline came during Drake’s second set on Saturday (July 12), when he asked the crowd to "name another artist" who matches his performance level, and the audience began chanting "F--- Kendrick." Drake responded positively to the chant, as he smiled and told his longtime associate Chubbs, "Grab me a shot. I’ll drink to that." The incident comes amid his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, with Drake recently dropping his new single, "What Did I Miss?" – which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week – that calls out the "traitors" in his life who attended Kendrick’s infamous Pop Out concert in Los Angeles in June 2024. (People)

During his concert at Suffolk’s Portman Road stadium on Sunday night (July 13), Ed Sheeran got emotional when he shared the stage with one of his musical heroes, James Blunt. The two music stars performed a duet on Blunt's 2004 hit "Goodbye My Lover." Sheeran called the experience “a dream come true,” and he took to Instagram to share footage of the special collaboration while expressing why Blunt means so much to him. “I saw @jamesblunt when I was 13 opening for @eltonjohn at Portman Road. I bought his album that day, then got obsessed,” Sheeran wrote. “He became my favourite singer songwriter. His songs moulded me, his performing inspired me. I wanted to be him.” The two have gone on to form a close personal friendship, with Sheeran even serving as godfather to Blunt’s son. “Don’t meet your hero’s, unless your hero’s are James Blunt,” Sheeran added. “Love you mate.” (Billboard)

Rosé surprised fans at Blackpink's second sold-out concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday night (July 13) by inviting Bruno Mars to join her on stage to perform their worldwide chart-topping duet, "Apt." Fan shot footage of the collaboration captured the musicians sporting matching jackets for the performance, which culminated in a confetti-filled dance party alongside Blackpink’s backup dancers. The K-Pop group are in the midst of their highly-anticipated Deadline reunion tour, performing a series of 18 stadium shows throughout the world, including upcoming stops in Chicago, Toronto, and New York throughout July, followed by a scheduled performance at Japan's Tokyo Dome in early 2026. Blackpink launched their tour last week at Seoul’s Goyang Stadium, where the group debuted a new song, “Jump,” with the show marking their first live performance together in nearly two years. (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (July 14), Bad Bunny surprised fans by releasing his brand new single, "Alambre Púa," the first track released since dropping his chart-topping album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, back in January. The song – which translates to “Barbed Wire” in English – made its debut as the opener during Bad Bunny’s historic 30-date residency at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The track is also accompanied by a music video featuring a woman dancing on a beach. The residency, which began on July 11 and runs until September 14, serves as a prelude to Bad Bunny's upcoming world tour, which spans Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, and runs through 2026. In addition to his flourishing music career, Benito is also set to appear in two films this year, Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler and Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing. (Rolling Stone)

Alex Warren’s first career Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Ordinary,” has now spent six weeks atop the chart. Elsewhere in the Top 10, two tracks cracked the tally for the first time this week, as Drake’s “What Did I Miss?” debuts at No. 2, pushing the Canadian rapper’s record setting career total to 81 Hot 100 Top 10s, while HUNTR/X’s “Golden” vaults up 17 spots to reach No. 6, on the strength of being featured on the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack, which surged to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen claims his 10th week with at least three simultaneous Hot 100 Top 10s, a career mark that only five acts — and no country artists — have previously reached.

Walen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, falls one spot to No. 3, “Just in Case” drops one slot to No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” falls three places to No. 8, all of which are lifted from his chart-topping album, I’m the Problem, which is spending an eighth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy), which drops one spot to No. 5, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” falls one slot to No. 7, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” slides down one place to No. 9, and  Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” drops one slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (July 9), Harper’s Bazaar published their list of the 50 “Hottest Men Of All Time,” which includes Tupac Shakur at No. 2, Lenny Kravitz at No. 3, Bad Bunny at No. 8, and Elvis Presley at No. 17. Other musicians like Maluma, Zayn Malik, and A$AP Rocky also made the list, along with actors such as Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Keanu Reeves. The No. 1 spot was claimed by actor James Dean, with his fellow Old Hollywood stars Paul Newman and Marlon Brando also making the list. According to the tally, Bad Bunny reached his “peak” hotness level in March when he showed off his abs in his steamy Calvin Klein ads, while Pac’s hottest moment was during his shirtless appearance in the “Hit ‘Em Up” music video, and Elvis’ hotness peak occurred every time he did his notorious “Jailhouse Rock” dance moves. (Billboard) 

Kanye West's Shanghai concert on Saturday night (July 12) faced backlash as fans demanded refunds due to his late arrival, erratic behavior, and early departure. The show, billed as Ye’s first full-length concert in nearly a year, was marred by technical issues and minimal stage production, with the rapper performing alone in the rain at Shanghai Stadium. Attendees were left confused and frustrated by West's delayed start, and once he finally did take the stage,  technical issues with the DJ caused Ye to stop and restart multiple songs. Following the rapper’s abrupt early exit, fan shot footage captured the crowd chanting for refunds. Fans paid upwards of $400USD for tickets to the show, and took to Chinese social media to voice their displeasure, with one user saying they had “never seen such a poorly organized concert.” (Consequence of Sound)

Travis Scott and Cactus Jack released the highly-anticipated JACKBOYS 2 compilation album on Sunday (July 13) in honor of ‘713 Day,’ paying homage to the area code of Scott's hometown of Houston. The set serves as a sequel to Scott’s 2019 JACKBOYS project, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Scott hyped the new collection with an Instagram post on Friday, with a promotional image boasting, “The Jack is back with 17 new tracks full of trunk rattling classics in the making. Hosted by Bun B of UGK.” JACKBOYS 2 features Scott alongside hip-hop stars like Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, GloRilla, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Waka Flocka Flame, and more. Scott also offered fans various merchandise collections tied to the release, and CD/vinyl bundles featuring alternate cover art. This continues a busy year for Scott, who headlined Coachella in April, after scoring another No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “4×4” in February. The rap star also made a series of surprise appearances at high-profile WWE events. (Billboard)

During her Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Atlanta on Thursday (July 10), Beyoncé swapped out her flying red convertible stage prop for a gold mechanical horse that she rode above the crowd during her performance of "16 Carriages." This change followed a scary stage malfunction in Houston on June 28 when the red convertible tilted mid-air during the song, leaving the 35-time Grammy winner suspended at an awkward angle while they lowered the car to the floor. Beyoncé previously rode on a silver horse during the Renaissance Tour in 2023, mirroring the album's cover, with the singer also sitting atop a horse on the album cover for Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé continues her Cowboy Carter Tour with the final show of a four-night stand at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday (July 14), with the tour concluding on July 25-26 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (People)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem has now spent its first two months at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, after it debuted atop the chart following its release on May 16. Wallen’s three chart-topping albums (I’m the Problem, One Thing at a Time, and Dangerous: The Double Album) have spent a combined total of 37 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, tying the country superstar with Harry Belafonte and Drake for the fifth-most weeks at No. 1 among solo male artists in chart history, trailing Elvis Presley (67 weeks), Garth Brooks (52), Michael Jackson (51), and Elton John (39).

Other notable moves in this week’s Billboard 200 Top 10 include the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack hitting a new peak by climbing one spot to No. 2, while Toby Keith’s former chart-topper, 35 Biggest Hits, vaults up 34 places to reach No. 9 due to streaming surges around Independence Day. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time jumps up three spots to No. 3, SZA’s SOS climbs three slots to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet rises four places to No. 5, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album vaults up five spots to No. 6, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos jumps up nine slots to No. 7, Karol G’s Tropicoqueta falls three places to No. 8, and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U rises seven spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

Tomorrow X Together have announced that they are bringing their highly-anticipated Act: Tomorrow 2025 World Tour to the U.S. The K-pop boy band will make stops in seven major cities, including the U.S. tour kickoff on September 9 in San Jose, followed by a high-profile stadium stop in Los Angeles, before hitting arenas in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington D.C., and finishing with a two-night stand at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on October 1-2. This tour follows their successful run of shows in the U.S. in 2024, and marks their third world tour in as many years, with prior stops scheduled in Europe, China, and Japan. The announcement coincides with the July 21 release of the group’s fourth studio LP, The Star Chapter: Together, which marks the second and final instalment of the band's Star Chapter series. (Rolling Stone)

Kanye West faces new accusations of sexual battery and sex trafficking from his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who initially sued him in 2024 for wrongful termination and sexual harassment. The amended complaint alleges that West coerced Pisciotta into sexual encounters, made lewd comments, and subjected her to harassment and assault. Pisciotta began working for the rapper in 2021 as an A&R during the making of his album, Donda, and eventually became his personal assistant. She is demanding a trial by jury to seek general, economic, and punitive damages, including past and future lost earnings. Representatives for West have not made a statement about the new accusations, though at the time of Pisciotta’s original lawsuit in 2024, West’s lawyer put out a statement calling her accusations “baseless” while claiming that they planned to countersue. (Variety)

Temple University has unveiled a groundbreaking new course, "Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City," to be taught by Professor Timothy Welbeck in Fall 2025. The class will focus on the cultural impact of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, with students giving close listens to Lamar’s Grammy-winning albums, while also receiving guest lectures from his collaborators. “Kendrick Lamar is one of the defining voices of his generation, and in many ways, both his art and life is reflective of the Black experience in many telling ways,” Welbeck says, while revealing that the college was very supportive of his course idea. “My current department chair was very open to the idea and received it almost immediately,” he says. “Our department at Temple has embraced the study of hip-hop in academic spaces.” The course, which begins in August, is now open for enrollment. (Rolling Stone)

Jennifer Hudson is set to headline the Whitney E. Houston Legacy of Love Gala at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta on August 9, on what would have been the late singer's 62nd birthday. The event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Houston's groundbreaking career, with music industry legend Clive Davis serving as honorary chair. Hudson, an EGOT winner, will be joined by R&B artist Meli'sa Morgan, who sang on Houston’s self-titled debut album, along with the foundation’s Cover Song Competition winner Jimmy Vance, and a symphony orchestra previewing the upcoming North American tour of The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration. The gala will honor Houston's legacy while also continuing her mission of supporting children and empowering youth, by offering grants to organizations like Kids in the Spotlight, and awarding scholarships for students attending HBCUs. (Billboard)

Justin Bieber is set to surprise fans with the unexpected release of his long-awaited seventh album, Swag, on Friday (July 11) via Def Jam. The highly-anticipated project, which Bieber put the finishing touches on during a getaway to Iceland in April, will likely feature collaborations with Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Cash Cobain, who recently participated in “jam sessions” with the singer. A series of social media posts that surfaced on Thursday announced the impending arrival of the surprise album, including a billboard in Iceland featuring the possible cover art that includes a black-and-white photo of Bieber alongside the word “SWAG.”

Bieber himself also shared an Instagram post featuring a Times Square billboard displaying the surprise album’s 20-song tracklist. Bieber's dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming release, which marks the 31-year-old pop superstar’s first album since 2021’s chart-topping, Grammy-nominated, Justice. Bieber has since undergone considerable changes in his personal and professional life, including becoming a father and parting ways with longtime manager Scooter Braun. (The Hollywood Reporter)

During a recent appearance on the StageLeft podcast, Olivia Rodrigo's guitarist, Daisy Spencer, revealed that the singer generously paid for free therapy for her crew throughout the Guts Tour, as well as during their time off the road. Spencer expressed gratitude for the accessible and free therapy, emphasizing the impact it had on her mental health and well-being. “I have never had anything like that,” Spencer said. “And that reignited the importance of therapy to me because I had just kind of fallen off for so long, and then suddenly I had this free resource of incredible therapists. Honestly, that was one of the coolest things that has ever happened on tour.” Spencer detailed how Rodrigo's gesture allowed her to regularly access therapy and work through unprocessed trauma from her younger years, describing it as one of the best gifts one can receive. The act reflects a growing trend of artists openly discussing mental health struggles, with Rodrigo being a leading proponent of prioritizing mental well-being. (Billboard)

In a recent appearance on the School of Greatness podcast with his brothers Nick and Joe, Kevin Jonas revealed that he faced financial ruin after losing "almost all" of his money following the split of the Jonas Brothers. Kevin eventually restored his assets due to the group's reunion in 2019, and reflected on his personal journey from financial success to near bankruptcy on the show. “I’ve seen the beginning of the success to financial success — not knowing what money really was and understanding it — to not having [it], to losing almost all of it,” Kevin said, revealing that he lost “most of” his money, “like, down to the one 10 percent left.” Kevin didn’t share specific details of his ordeal, though he said it happened around nine years ago. “I invested in a bunch of property and doing other things and I was building at the time,” he explained. “Sadly, it wasn’t the right partnership.” (Variety) 

The new Netflix competition series, Building the Band, is dedicated to the late Liam Payne, with host AJ McLean honoring the One Direction member in the premiere episode. “When we came together to film ‘Building the Band,’ we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne,” McLean said at the beginning of the episode. “Liam is a guest judge in later episodes, and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It’s through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.” Payne will appear posthumously as a guest judge in later episodes set to arrive next week, alongside fellow judges Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger. Payne filmed scenes for the show in the summer of 2024, with his last scenes captured in August, before his tragic death in October. The first four episodes of the series are currently available for streaming, with additional episodes set to be released on July 16 and July 23. (Variety)

Ed Sheeran will showcase his Jackson Pollock-inspired paintings in London at the Heni Gallery in Soho, starting on July 10 and running until August 1. The exhibition, titled "Cosmic Carpark Paintings," will raise funds for his Ed Sheeran Foundation, which focuses on providing music education for young people. “So last year in between shows I was doing these paintings,” Sheeran wrote in an Instagram post announcing his exhibition, while adding, “I love painting, more for fun and to give to friends, but this time I was encouraged to do a show of them by @DamienHirst and @Heni.” The musician explains that, “I paint when I’m not working on a record, just to do something creative with my brain,” while admitting, “I am by no means ‘an artist’, but I do love making art, it makes me feel great, and I love the end result.” Sheeran says,”The paintings are for sale if anyone fancies it, and my proceeds from them will all go into the @edsheeranfnd so art will fund art. I like the idea of that.” (Rolling Stone)

Sean "Diddy" Combs will be sentenced on October 3 for his two prostitution convictions, after his defense team reached an agreement on the sentencing timeline with the prosecution. The defense's sentencing memorandum is due on September 19, and the prosecution’s will be expected the following week, which was agreed to and signed by presiding Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday (July 8). The government is seeking a prison sentence of between 51 to 63 months, while the defense is recommending between 21 to 27 months, with Combs expected to receive credit for over a year of time served. Following a nearly two-month trial, Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He will remain in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center until the sentencing. (People)

On Monday (July 7), Frankie Grande took to Instagram to announce that an upcoming remix of his song, "Hotel Rock Bottom," will feature his sister, Ariana Grande. The track is set to be released on Friday (July 11) as part of the deluxe edition of his debut album, also titled Hotel Rock Bottom. This collaboration marks the siblings first music collaboration together, while showcasing Frankie's transition from Broadway to his own music project. Frankie captioned the post: “This song is so personal to me, and having her on it makes it even more meaningful. Can’t wait for you to hear it!!” Ariana showed her support by commenting on the post, “love you so much 🥹🥲 ♡ so proud of you and grateful to be a part of this deluxe!” Ariana remains focused on her acting career, continuing her portrayal of Glinda the good witch in the highly-anticipated Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, which will hit theaters on November 21. (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (July 7), Jessie J shared an emotional update on Instagram where the English pop star revealed that her breast cancer had not spread following a mastectomy. In the touching video clip, her two-year-old son Sky Safir is shown saying, “Mommy’s gonna be okay.” Jessie captioned the post: “And…I AM OK Results = I have NO cancer spread 😭😭😭 Happy tears are real 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Thank YOU for the prayers, the love, the well wishes, the joy and all the positive energy. 🥹” The singer also disclosed her plans for further reconstructive surgery to ensure a full recovery. “Lots of healing to go and one more surgery to make these cousins look more like sisters. But for now it’s gratitude time.” This positive news comes after the musician's initial announcement of her breast cancer diagnosis on June 3. During an appearance at the Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 16, Jessie declared it was her "last show before I go to beat breast cancer!" (People)

In an Instagram post on Monday (July 7), Justin Bieber shared a couple adorable snapshots of his 10-month-old son, Jack Blues, joining him in the recording studio. sparking speculation about his possible musical inclinations. In the photos, Jack is seen in striped dungarees standing by a coffee table surrounded by Justin and his friends, two of whom are playing guitars, while Justin lovingly gazes at his son. The proud dad captioned his post, “💕💕💕💕💕💕💕.” This heartwarming moment follows a video posted on Sunday featuring Justin affectionately playing with Jack, as well as a carousel of snapshots featuring Justin and his wife, Hailey, sharing a sweet embrace, which the singer captioned, “My forever n always 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕.” These tender glimpses into Justin’s personal life capture the love he has for his family, while he remains at work on the long-awaited follow-up to his chart-topping, Grammy-nominated 2021 album, Justice. (People)