The Governors Ball announced their festival lineup on Tuesday (January 14), which features headlining sets from Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier over the course of the three-day music fest in New York this summer. Governors Ball 2025 is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Tyler, the Creator leads Friday’s lineup, joined by Benson Boone, Mk.gee, T-Pain, Tyla, Role Model, the Backseat Lovers, JPegMafia and more. Rodrigo gets top billing on Saturday, where she will be joined by Feid, Conan Gray, Young Miko, Wallows, Marina, Mariah the Scientist, Car Seat Headrest, Artemas, and more. Hozier leads the Sunday lineup, alongside Mt. Joy, Clairo, Raye, Royel Otis, The Japanese House, Amaarae, and more. Ticket pre-sale starts at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday (January 16), with general on-sale starting at 11 a.m. that day. (Billboard) 

Doja Cat announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that she has teamed up with the American Red Cross to design a line of merchandise benefiting the charity’s fire relief efforts in L.A. The music superstar was born and raised in the L.A. area, and is doing her part to provide support for those affected by the devastating fires throughout the region. “Please help me and @americanredcross support my beautiful state of California,” Doja Cat wrote, alongside a post featuring t-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with her designs. “I teamed up with artist @pini and designed a small collection of hoodies and tees on sale now - 100% of proceeds go to American Red Cross to support the people of California affected by the wildfires.” The artist Pini wrote on Instagram, “LA has been my home for the last ten years, to see the destruction of these fires over the last couple of days has been devastating.” (Billboard) 

Janet Jackson has announced that she will be extending her Las Vegas residency by adding six more shows to her stay at Resorts World Theatre. After Jackson’s previous residency debuted with a sold-out run over New Year’s week at the end of 2024, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas will return with six additional shows in the spring of 2025. The 5-time Grammy winning singer will once again be performing at Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas during her newly announced residency dates on May 21, 24, 25, 28, 30, and 31. These shows join Jackson’s previously announced 2025 Vegas residency dates on February 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, and 15.

“There’s no better way to kick off the new year than with the return of Janet Jackson in her exclusive residency at the award-winning Resorts World Theatre,” commented Bobby Reynolds, senior vp of AEG Presents Las Vegas. “We look forward to having her showcase her unparalleled talents in a total of 12 more performances through this May.” (Billboard) 

The Weeknd announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that he has postponed the release of his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, and has cancelled his upcoming Rose Bowl Stadium concert due to the wildfires that are devastating the Los Angeles area. The release date for his highly-anticipated record has been pushed back from January 24 to January 31. The Weeknd’s one-night-only stadium show in Pasadena, California, scheduled for the day after the album’s release on January 25, has been cancelled entirely. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, said the decision to cancel his show was reached “out of respect and concern for the people of Los Angeles County.” A new date for the Rose Bowl concert has not been announced. “This city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” Tesfaye wrote. “My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild.” (Rolling Stone)

On Christmas Day, while she was headlining the halftime show of the Houston Texans football game, Beyoncé took to Instagram to tease a major announcement that she had planned for January 14. However, due to the ongoing fires throughout the Los Angeles area, Bey announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that she has decided to postpone her big reveal out of respect to the victims of the catastrophe. “The January 14th announcement will be postponed until a later date due to the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires around areas of Los Angeles,” Beyoncé wrote. “I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss. We are so blessed to have brave first responders who continue to work tirelessly to protect the Los Angeles community.” She encouraged people to “join our efforts in supporting those impacted,” sharing a link to her BeyGood charity foundation, which donated $2.5 million to the the LA Fire Relief Fund on Monday. (Rolling Stone)  

Usher has announced that he is joining Audible‘s Words + Music series with The Last Showman, which will featured the music superstar reflecting back on his successful 30 year career in music. The audio program will find the eight-time Grammy winning R&B singer sharing insight into his chart-topping albums, the inspirations behind his hit songs, as well as the setbacks he experienced along the way to music stardom. “With the recent 20th anniversary of Confessions, creating The Last Showman has been an incredible opportunity to reflect on the most pivotal moments of my career with fresh eyes and deep appreciation,” Usher said in a press statement. “This project isn’t just about telling my story; it’s about sharing the raw, unfiltered truth behind the music that’s connected with generations of listeners, as well as the power of vulnerability in art.” Usher’s The Last Showman will premiere exclusively via Audible on February 6. (Billboard)

Bad Bunny shared a tour teaser trailer on Instagram on Monday (January 13) to announce the dates and details of his upcoming residency in his home of Puerto Rico. Benito’s 21-date residency will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, and will get underway on July 11. To ensure locals get priority for the residency, the first nine shows are exclusively available only to residents of Puerto Rico. The residency will take place every weekend – running from Friday to Sunday – between July 11 and August 24, and will feature tracks from Bad Bunny’s Billboard No. 2 charting new album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos – which he calls his “most Puerto Rican album ever” – along with reggaeton hits from his previous seven Top 10 charting albums. Tickets for the “resident only” shows go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time on Jan. 15, while ticket pre-sales for registered fans begins at 10 a.m. AST on January 17. (Variety)

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars hit collaboration “Die With a Smile” spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With the chart-topping success of “Die With a Smile,” Gaga joins Janet and Michael Jackson as the only artists with multiple Hot 100 No. 1s in three different decades, as Gaga now boasts two leaders each in the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s. Following its New Year’s Eve release, Morgan Wallen’s “Smile” jumps from No. 27 to No. 4 in its second week on the Hot 100 chart, becoming the country star’s 12th Top 10 of his record-setting career.

Elsewhere in the Top 10, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” remains at No. 2, Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” sticks at No. 3, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” holds at No. 5, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” drops two places to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” stays at No. 7, Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” drops two places to No. 8, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Wallen, falls a spot to No. 9, and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” slides a slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Sunday (January 12), Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD charity foundation announced that it is donating $2.5 million to the newly-established LA Fire Relief Fund. Beyoncé previously founded BeyGOOD back in 2013 in order to “provide resources worldwide” while assisting people with economic disparities, supporting non-profits in marginalized communities, and providing relief resources and educational scholarships. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the BEYGOOD foundation stated on Instagram. In addition to her charitable donation, Beyoncé is also apparently planning on making an announcement of her own on Tuesday (January 14). The 32-time Grammy winning singer teased a big revelation coming this week in a Christmas day Instagram post, although it’s unclear exactly what she intends to announce, or if she’ll delay her plans due to the L.A. fires. (Rolling Stone)

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. announced on Monday (January 13) that the 2025 Grammy Awards will proceed as planned on February 2. Mason Jr. sent out a letter to Academy members assuring them that the ceremony will take place as scheduled at Crypto.com Arena early next month, even as Los Angeles deals with the devastation due to the ongoing wildfires. Mason Jr. wrote that this year’s Grammys will take place “in close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources.” Mason Jr. pledges that the 2025 Grammys “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.” Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have both announced that they have cancelled their annual Grammy parties, donating their allocated money and resources towards fire relief efforts instead. (Rolling Stone)

On Friday, Julia Michaels and Maren Morris release their new collaborative single, “Scissors,” and the accompanying provactive music video directed by Blythe Thomas. The break-up track captures the end of a relationship, but Michaels and Morris’ creative partnership is still going strong. “Scissors” marks the second time that Michaels and Morris have teamed up, after the pair previously worked together on “Cut,” which was released last June. “It was just a wonderful and silly coincidence when these duets came together,” Michaels says, with Morris adding, “They were separate entities, but it felt like cosmic divinity that the titles mirrored each other.” Both music stars have experienced very public splits in recent years, with Morris filing for divorces from Ryan Hurd in 2023 after five years of marriage, while Michaels split with her boyfriend of four years, JP Saxe, back in 2022. "Not everything ends in heartbreak, but sometimes apathy and a lightheartedness which sorely needs representation in breakup songs!" Morris says. (Rolling Stone)

During a red carpet interview at the Golden Globes, Trent Reznor surprised everyone with his choice for his favorite song of 2024. The industrial music legend was being interviewed by the Los Angeles alternative radio station 98.7 when he revealed that Sabrina Carpenter’s smash hit “Espresso” was his pick for song of the year. Reznor and his longtime collaborator Atticus Ross went on to win a Golden Globe that night for Best Original Score for their work on the Challengers soundtrack, and the duo are on the shortlist for both Best Original Score and Best Original Song at the 2025 Academy Awards. Reznor’s choice of “Espresso” as his song of 2024 continues his recent embrace of pop music. During an appearance on Rick Rubin’s podcast, Tetragrammaton, last summer, Reznor said he was moved to tears while hearing his daughter sing along to Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.” “It really reminded me of the art of writing a well-crafted song,” Reznor said, praising Lipa’s hit tune as “a really well-done piece of music.” (Consequence of Sound)

Lil Baby’s new release, WHAM, debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart. This marks the fourth consecutive chart-topping record from the Atlanta rapper, and his seventh Top 10 album of his career. Another notable release on the current Billboard 200 chart is Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS debuting at No. 2, becoming the international music superstar’s seventh Top 10-charting record. Benito’s album was released on an off-cycle Sunday (January 5), still reaching No. 2 with only five days of activity. This week’s Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS which drops two places to No. 3, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX slides down two spots to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet slips two slots to No. 5, the Wicked film soundtrack falls two places to No. 6, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft drops two spots to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 8, Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us sticks at No. 9, and Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA holds at No. 10. (Billboard)

Legendary Public Enemy emcee Chuck D took to Instagram on Friday (January 10) to voice his displeasure that people were insensitively misusing his band’s volatile 1990 song, “Burn Hollywood Burn” amid the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. Some social media users have been celebrating the city’s destruction by using PE’s protest anthem to soundtrack their posts, and Chuck clearly wasn’t pleased. The rapper clarified that “Burn Hollywood Burn” has roots in the Watts Rebellion and is inspired by the Magnificent Montague’s 1965 statement against inequality. “We made mind revolution songs aimed at a one sided exploitation by a industry. Has nothing to do with families, losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history. Godspeed to those in loss," Chuck wrote. He sympathetically captioned his post, “PRAY 4 LA🙏🏾,” and lashed out at malicious social media users in the comments, writing, “Please don’t use our song on your reels and pictures of this horrifying natural disaster.” (People)

The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” comes in at No. 1 on Billboard’s look back at the hit songs of the first 25 years of the 21st century, ruling Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart. The survey takes into account the collective performances on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024. “Blinding Lights” topped the chart due to a record-setting 57-week run in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 from February 2020 through April 2021, including four weeks at No. 1. “I don’t think [it] has hit me yet,” The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye said about earning the honor. “I just count my blessings, and I’m just grateful.”

The rest of the Top 10 of the Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart is rounded out by (in order): “Uptown Funk!” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Stay” by The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen, “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey. (Billboard)

A benefit concert for Los Angeles fire victims dubbed FIREAID is set to take place on January 30 at L.A.’s Intuit Dome. The event, billed as “an evening of music and solidarity,”  will be organized by the Azoff family alongside booking giants Live Nation and AEG Presents. Ticket information and a music lineup will be announced in the next few days. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go towards an organization created to rebuild Los Angeles infrastructure and provide support to displaced families. Event organizers are hoping to take advantage of the A-list artists who are likely to be in L.A. around that time for the upcoming Grammy Awards, which are scheduled for February 2. The music industry has been hit particularly hard by the fires, with over 100 executives and artists losing their homes, recording studios, instruments, and equipment. (Billboard)

Sam Moore, one half of Stax Records soul duo Sam and Dave, died on Friday (January 10) at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, at the age of 89. Moore’s death was confirmed by his wife and manager, Joyce Moore. The beloved soul icon underwent an unspecified surgery earlier in the week, and died from complications in recovering from the proceedure. Moore – who was born in Miami in 1935 – and his partner Dave Prater formed Stax Records’ most celebrated vocal duo, helping the Memphis label become one of the greatest homes for soul in music history. Sam and Dave are best known for hits like “Soul Man” – which won the Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance in 1968 – and “Hold On! I’m Comin,’” creating a catalog of songs featuring their rich vocals and uplifting harmonies. Labelmate Booker T. Jones, who backed the duo on many of their classics, says of Moore, "I will miss this beautiful set of lungs.” Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to Moore on Instagram, calling him “one of America’s greatest soul voices,” while stating, "There simply isn’t another sound like Sam’s soulful tenor in American music.” (Rolling Stone)

Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album, comes in as Billboard’s No. 1 album of the first 25 years of the 21st century, as the country star’s 2021 sophomore record rules the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart. The list takes into account all performances on the weekly Billboard 200 albums chart from the beginning of 2000 through the end of 2024. Dangerous: The Double Album debuted at No. 1 on January 23, 2021, and remained on top of the charts until March 27, ultimately compiling 158 total weeks in the Top 10. Wallen also placed a second album on the overall chart, as his 2023 record, One Thing At A Time, comes in at No. 6 on the list. Rounding out the Top 10 on the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart, Adele’s 21 is No. 2, Taylor Swift’s Fearless is No. 3 and her 1989 is No. 4, the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton: An American Musical is No. 5, Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding is No. 7, Lil Baby’s My Turn is No. 8, Nickelback’s All the Right Reasons is the highest charting rock record at No. 9, while Lady Gaga’s The Fame comes in at No. 10. (Billboard) 

Flavor Flav will be performing at Guy Fieri’s third annual Flavortown Tailgate set to take place ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans. Fieri’s free event is planned for February 9 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mardi Gras World, and will feature a headlining performance from Flav, the Public Enemy rapper and beloved public figure who seems to be everywhere at the moment – including playing "Tubby" the Duke's Mayonnaise mascot at a Bowl Game last weekend. Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate will also feature performances from Diplo and Cowboy Mouth, with a variety of food options available for fans to sample throughout the day, including Fieri’s own favorites from his hit show, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, alongside hand-picked local restaurants from the New Orleans area. Registration for the free event begins Thursday at the Flavortown Tailgate official website, with Taste of Flavortown tickets and VIP packages also available for purchase. (Billboard) 

The new Peacock documentary, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, is set to premiere on Tuesday (January 14), and it is filled with shocking and explosive claims from friends and associates of Sean "Diddy" Combs. One of the most alarming revelations in the film is made by Combs' childhood friend Tim Patterson, who claims that Diddy’s mother Janice would throw wild, sex-filled parties at the embattled music mogul's childhood home. “It wouldn't be a thing to mistakenly walk into one of the bedrooms and you got a couple in there, butt naked,” Patterson recalls. “That’s what we were privy to. Was it desensitizing us? I’m sure it was. Were we aware of it? No, that was just Saturday night.” Patterson said that even at a young age, the kids were exposed to alcohol, marijuana, and sex acts at these parties. “On the weekend, [Combs] partied in the house, and we did that a lot,” Patterson claims, saying that the parties were frequently attended by known “drug addicts," "pimps," and "pushers.” (Rolling Stone)