Music News

On Wednesday (March 12), the NCAA and TNT Sports Live Events announced the star-studded lineup of artists who will perform at the 2025 March Madness Music Festival. The three-day event will take place at Tower Park in San Antonio, Texas from April 4th to 6th, and will be held in conjunction with the Division I Men’s Final Four. On April 4, Pitbull will headline the AT&T Block Party, along with performances by Doechii and Ravyn Lenae. On April 5, Jelly Roll will headline Coca-Cola Live!, following sets by T-Pain and Willow Avalon. On April 6, Chris Stapleton will headline Capital One JamFest, with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Benson Boone, and Brothers Osborne also set to perform. CBS Sports and TNT Sports will provide live coverage of all 67 games from the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across four national TV networks, with the Final Four airing on CBS. (Billboard)

During The Secret Of Us Tour stop in Dublin on Monday night (March 10), Gracie Abrams provided emotional comfort to a fan in the audience who was mourning the loss of her best friend. In the fan’s TikTok video, Abrams is given a sign paying tribute to her late friend Lolly, who passed away before getting a chance to attend the concert. In a touching moment, Abrams expressed condolences and admiration for Lolly, placing her photo at the front of the stage in tribute. "Thank you so much for bringing her with you tonight. I'm so sorry for your loss," she told the fan. “I just can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. She’s gorgeous, and she’s with us." The fan captioned her video clip, "Gracie [honoring] our best friend at her dream concert. We miss you Lolly." She expressed her thanks to Abrams in the comments, writing “thank you @gracie abrams @Gracie AbramsHQ for giving our best friend lolly her special moment on her 6th month anniversary.” (People)

SZA appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday (March 12) to discuss her upcoming Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar. The Grammy-winning R&B star – whose collaboration with Lamar, “Luther,” is currently No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – promised that their upcoming tour would be different from their Super Bowl halftime show. “Oh, we’re doing a new thing,” SZA shared. “We’re both just kind of throwing all the paint at the wall… This is our first stadium show for both of us, so we pretty much have to go insane.” When asked if she and Lamar will hang out while on tour together, SZA said that the Nobel Prize-winning rapper tends to keep to himself. “Well, he’s a wizard, so that’s different,” she quipped. “Wizards tend to be solitary beings… I think he’s doing the Merlin thing backstage, getting us ready to take off.” Lamar and SZA’s highly-anticipated tour kicks off on April 19 in Minneapolis, with dates scheduled across North America through June. (Billboard)

In an interview on The Howard Stern Show on Tuesday (March 11), Lady Gaga shared her admiration for Trent Reznor and cited Nine Inch Nails as major inspiration for her seventh album, Mayhem. Gaga revealed that meeting Reznor always has a powerful effect on her, and while she couldn’t recall the first time she met the NIN mastermind, she revealed, “I think I black out every time I’m in his presence. He’s an amazing musician.” When Stern asked if she ever felt intimidated by Reznor, Gaga explained, “Not intimidated—just really excited, stoked, quiet.” Gaga has previously expressed that Mayhem is a fusion of “90s grunge influence, 2000s pop influence, funk influence, ‘80s influence,” while disclosing that NIN’s "Closer" had a significant influence on the album’s lead single, “Disease.” Nine Inch Nails, meanwhile, have just announced their upcoming Peel It Back world tour, which will mark their first live performances since 2022. NIN has shows scheduled across the U.K., Europe, and North America this summer, with support coming from Boys Noize. (Billboard)

Miley Cyrus’ music video for "Flowers" has just surpassed one billion views on YouTube. This is the pop superstar’s fourth video to achieve the milestone, alongside the visuals for 2013’s "Wrecking Ball," 2009’s "Party In the U.S.A.," and 2013’s “23” with Mike WiLL Made-It, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J, which just crossed the billion views threshold back in December of 2024. The iconic clip for “Flowers” was directed by Jacob Bixenman, and features Cyrus stylishly singing her Billboard Hot 100-topping single, which wound up spending eight total weeks at No. 1. The song, believed to be about Cyrus’ ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, is featured on her eighth record, Endless Summer Vacation, which was nominated for Album of the Year. “Flowers” topped the charts in 41 different countries while becoming the fastest song in Spotify history to surpass one billion streams, earning Cyrus her first two Grammys Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2024 ceremony. (Billboard)

Demi Lovato reassured fans after sparking concern over a TikTok cooking video, which captured her appearing visibly nervous while her hands were trembling throughout the entire clip. "I'm afraid of seeing her shaking that hard," one concerned viewer wrote in the comments. Despite fans expressing worry over her noticeable shaking, the 32-year-old singer assured everyone that she was "okay" and explained the challenges she faced while cooking. "I’m okay! I promise," Lovato responded in the comments, while captioning her video, “On Cooking With Demi we are all about facing our fears. Today we did that by trying out a recipe for a whole roasted chicken. It wasn’t pretty at times, but it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as I thought it would be.” Lovato's candid approach on her cooking show highlights the pop star’s determination to navigate through new life experiences, while ultimately building her confidence in the kitchen. (People)

ERNEST and Snoop Dogg's highly-anticipated collaboration, “Gettin' Gone,” appears to be on the horizon as the dynamic duo were spotted shooting a music video on Nashville's Broadway Strip. The clip follows in the footsteps of Post Malone and Luke Combs' viral video shoot last summer. “Gettin’ Gone” was co-written by ERNEST, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Mark Holman, and based on the 'Snoop DeVille' jacket that the rapper was sporting, the release of the joint track is anticipated to coincide with the launch of ERNEST's new label, DeVille Records. ERNEST shared an Instagram photo of he and Snoop hanging out at Losers Bar and Grill, captioning the post, “SNOOP X DEVILLE.” The country superstar also shared a video of his son, Ryman, meeting Snoop, captioning the clip, “Ryman is certified 💙.” “Gettin' Gone” is rumored to be the lead single from ERNEST's forthcoming collaborative project, Cadillac Sessions, which will feature contributions from signees to ERN’s Cadillac Music Publishing group, such as rising country singer, Chandler Walters. (Holler)

Stephen Schwartz, the acclaimed songwriter behind Wicked, is set to receive the 2025 Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York City on June 12. The honor comes amidst the success of Wicked as the highest-grossing film ever based on a Broadway musical, with a sequel slated for release in 2025. The 76-year-old Schwartz also wrote the music for the Broadway hits Godspell and Pippin, and has won three Oscars, four Grammys, and a Golden Globe, while receiving six Tony nominations. “With every lyric and melody, Stephen invites us on an unforgettable journey,” SHOF chairman Nile Rodgers said in a statement. “He is the only person who can turn a simple story into a Broadway musical masterpiece, one catchy chorus at a time!” Gracie Abrams was previously announced as the recipient of the SHOF’s other major honorary prize, the Hal David Starlight Award, with the class of 2025 inductees including George Clinton, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Mike Love, Tony Macaulay, and three members of The Doobie Brothers. (Billboard)

Shortly after announcing his plans to sell Shakira’s custom 2022 Lamborghini Urus that he won in a contest, artist Michael Mejía was involved in a car accident while driving the luxury vehicle in Miami. Mejía was hit by another car on Thursday (March 6), and he revealed that he was unharmed in the incident and that the car is undergoing restoration. “I was simply hit. It wasn’t me who crashed,” Mejía says. “It was quite a scary moment. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured.” An Instagram video posted by Spanish-language reality series ¡Siéntese Quien Pueda! captured the damage done to purple Lamborghini in the accident. Mejía recently revealed that he was planning on selling the car due to the high maintenance costs, which led to backlash from Shakira's fans. “All of Shakira’s fans — who initially supported me — are hating me because I decided to sell the car,” he said. “They see it as potentially disrespectful towards Shakira. All the monthly costs are too much, and I just can’t keep up with them.” (Billboard)

On Monday (March 10), Drake made an enigmatic Instagram post that hints about a mysterious "next chapter" in his career. “I grew up non confrontational and always treated this game as a sport where my pen won gold, but these days the podium has been hard for all of us to ignore,” Drake wrote. “I understand that this next chapter may leave you feeling uneasy, but I hope you see my honesty as clarity not charity that answers some questions.” Some fans speculate that his message refers to his ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar, while others see Drake shifting his focus to future projects rooted in sincerity.

The post features a series of photos of the rapper, as well as a sweatshirt emblazoned with his label’s OVO Sound owl logo alongside the slogan “Free the Man Dem,” and a mysterious pic of a Zofran pill. Drake’s newest project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, is a collaborative album with PartyNextDoor which debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart in February, marking the rapper’s 14th No. 1 album of his career. (Rolling Stone)

Lauryn Hill made a surprise appearance at the memorial service for soul legend Roberta Flack at New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church on Monday afternoon (March 10). Hill was joined by music legend Stevie Wonder and her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean on stirring performances of Flack’s classics, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” which famously earned Fugees a Grammy in 1997 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group. “Her existence was a form of resistance,” Hill said of the late singer. “I adore Ms Roberta Flack. Roberta Flack is legend.”

Wonder accompanied Hill on harmonica, and also performed “If It’s Magic” and “I Can See the Sun in Late December,’ which he wrote for Flack. “The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity of being able to even better see with your heart,” Wonder said. “And so I knew how beautiful Roberta was, not seeing her visually but being able to see and feel her heart. I love you, Roberta. And I will see you.” Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, India.Arie Simpson, and actress Phylicia Rashad also paid tribute to the legendary singer during the memorial. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar’s GNX has returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a third nonconsecutive week in the top spot. The album climbed two places to reach No. 1 again, a spot it also claimed following its release week in December 2024, and the week after its physical release and Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. The lone debut in this week’s Top 10 is LISA’s first solo album, Alter Ego, which enters at No. 7, as the K-pop superstar becomes the second member of BLACKPINK to notch a solo Top 10 effort, following ROSÉ's Rosie.

Elsewhere in the Billboard 200 Top 10, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U remains at No. 2, Tate McRae’s former chart-topper So Close To What falls two spots to No. 3, SZA’s SOS holds at No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet sticks at No. 5, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos stays at No. 6, Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess remains at No. 8, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time holds at No. 9, and The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow falls three places to No. 10. (Billboard)

Celebrated Latin pop rock band Maná has unveiled their Vivir Sin Aire Tour, which is set to hit arenas and amphitheaters throughout North America. The 30-date jaunt will hit 21 major music cities in the U.S. and Canada, kicking off with a two-night stand in San Antonio on September 5-6, and concluding on April 4, 2026 in Greensboro, North Carolina. A highlight of Maná’s upcoming tour – which is named after their iconic 1992 hit – is a groundbreaking four-night residency at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, where the band will surpass Bruce Springsteen’s record for the most arena shows performed in L.A. history.

Ticket sales start on March 14 at 10 a.m. local time, with a portion of all sales contributing to the establishment of the band’s Latinas Luchonas program, which offers support for Latina entrepreneurs. Earlier this year, Maná made history by becoming the first Spanish-language act nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which honors a legacy that features over 40 million records sold and a combined 12 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. (Rolling Stone)

Rising rap star Doechii is set to receive the 2025 Woman of the Year award at the prestigious Billboard Women in Music event on March 29 at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. Following her Rising Star win in 2023, Doechii becomes just the third woman in history to progress to the top honor, joining the ranks of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. Known for her genre-blending sound and bold creativity, Doechii has quickly made a name for herself in the music industry, earning accolades such as the Grammy for Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, and being named Outstanding New Artist at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. The Billboard Woman Of The Year event will be hosted by Laverne Cox, and will also honor other influential women in music such as Erykah Badu, aespa, Gracie Abrams, Tyla, Megan Moroney, and Meghan Trainor. In additional Doechii news, the Tampa rapper joined her musical hero, Lauryn Hill, on Saturday for a duet on the music legend’s 1998 hit, "Doo Wop (That Thing)," during Hill’s show in Miami. (Billboard)

On Monday (March 10), Ariana Grande surprised fans with the announcement of Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead. The new collection will be released on March 28, and serves as what Grande has referred to as an “attachment” to her chart-topping seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, released almost exactly one year ago on March 8. Brighter Days Ahead will be the singer’s fourth different version of Eternal Sunshine, following previous releases of (Slightly Deluxe) and (Slightly Deluxe and Also Live) editions last year. Grande's 2024 included milestones such as her sixth No. 1 album which has since been certified platinum, as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Wicked. In addition to the new tracks that will be featured on Eternal Sunshine Deluxe, the collection also includes brand new album art which features Grande levitating towards a light beaming out of an ominous sky. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Luther Vandross-sampling hit, “Luther,” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the third consecutive week. This ties Lamar’s longest reign at the top of the singles chart, matching the non-consecutive three-week rule of “Not Like Us,” and the three straight weeks at No. 1 for “Like That,” his 2024 collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin. “Luther” marks SZA’s longest chart-topping reign of her career.

Elsewhere in the Hot 100 Top 10, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” remains at its No. 8 peak, while becoming her first No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart. Nine of the Top 10 tracks hold their same positions from the previous week, as Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2, while Lamar charts three songs in the Top 5, as “Not Like Us” stays at No. 3, and “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay, holds at No. 4. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” sticks at No. 5, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” remains at No. 6, Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” holds at No. 7, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” stays at No. 9, while Drake’s “Nokia” rises a spot to get back to its previous No. 10 peak. (Billboard)

On Monday (March 10), Cyndi Lauper announced the final leg of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour. The 25-date trek will run throughout this summer, beginning on July 15 in Buffalo, and concluding with a two-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on August 29 and 30. Pop singer-songwriter Jake Wesley Rogers will serve as the support act throughout the entire tour. Tickets for the tour will be available for public purchase on March 14, with an artist presale launching on March 11. Lauper launched her Farewell Tour in 2024, marking her first return to the road in over a decade, which she described as a “bucket list” accomplishment. Lauper was also recently featured in a career retrospective documentary, Let the Canary Sing, and is a nominee for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year, with inductees set to be announced in April. (Rolling Stone)

D'Wayne Wiggins, the co-founder of beloved R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has passed away at the age of 64 after a battle with bladder cancer. Wiggins’ family shared the sad news on social media on Friday (March 7). “With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” the family wrote. “D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world.” In 1986, Wiggins formed Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley, achieving mainstream success with hits like "Anniversary" and "(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow," earning five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart before the group disbanded in 1996. The Oakland native went on to have a successful solo career, collaborating with artists like Alicia Keys, and launching Grass Roots Entertainment, which nurtured the early careers of Destiny’s Child and Keyshia Cole. Tony! Toni! Toné! recently reunited for the Just Me and You Tour in 2023, with Saadiq revealing that footage from those shows will be used in an upcoming documentary about his career. (Variety)

The ninth annual Love Rocks NYC Benefit Concert took place at New York’s Beacon Theatre on Thursday (March 6), and featured memorable performances from Cher, Beck, Phish’s Trey Anastasio, and Alicia Keys. The charity event raised over $4 million for God’s Love We Deliver, which provides home-delivery of meals for people unable to cook or shop for themselves. The organization has raised over $50 million to date, funding 5 million meals for New Yorkers living with severe illnesses. The event was hosted by Alex Edelman, Amy Schumer, Susie Essman, and Tracy Morgan, and featured a lineup including Mavis Staples, Michael McDonald, Kate Hudson, Peter Frampton, and more. Cher donned an Elvis Presley costume during her performance of “Walking in Memphis,” while Alicia Keys paid tribute to the late Roberta Flack by covering her 1973 hit “Killing Me Softly.” Love Rocks was executive produced by international fashion designer John Varvatos, along with Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter. (Variety)

A year after the release of her chart-topping album, Eternal Sunshine, Ariana Grande took to social media on Saturday (March 8) to share a teaser video which hints that something new is on its way from that era. Grande posted a fiery clip that features mementos being burnt – reminiscent of scenes from her “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” music video – as well as a pre-save link for “esdeluxe” on streaming sites, which suggests that the long-rumored Eternal Sunshine Deluxe Edition is finally on its way. While Grande didn’t share any specific details about the release when questioned on the Oscars red carpet last week – where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Wicked – the Grammy-winning singer said in January, “There’s something I made last year that will come out eventually. It’s an attachment of Eternal Sunshine. So, that does exist, and that will be coming out at some point.” (Billboard) 

According to reporting from the New York Post, Harry Styles is apparently in final negotiations for a potential upcoming residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. Based on “sources with knowledge of the talks,” Styles could be on the verge of booking up to 35 dates at the state-of-the-art venue, with shows beginning as early as the fall of 2025. If confirmed, the former One Direction singer would follow in the footsteps of fellow pop acts like Backstreet Boys, who are booked to perform at the Sphere from July to August, marking a new expansion into different musical genres for the venue. “For the Sphere to continue to be on everyone’s radar they need to book some real ‘live’ artists like Styles,” said the source. “Almost everything at the Sphere has been geared for the 60-and-over crowd — The Eagles and The Dead, and even U2.” This potential residency would be Styles' first major live performances since wrapping up his Love On Tour dates in 2023. (Consequence of Sound)

During an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday night (March 5), American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood took part in a joint interview and competed against each other during a “Name That Song Challenge” with host Jimmy Fallon. When asked what it’s like to have the original Idol winner on the show, Richie said his new partner is a “jukebox… she knows every song that the contestants are singing,” joking that Underwood can’t help but join in. “I go Carrie, ‘they’re competing. It’s not you. You already won,'” Richie joked. While evaluating the talent of the contestants, Underwood admits that she was personally pulling for everyone who auditioned and wanted them to succeed. “I care a lot and it’s people’s hopes and dreams,” Underwood said. “I’m trying to evaluate, ‘is there more in there.” (Billboard)

On Thursday (March 6), Rascal Flatts announced the details of their upcoming album, Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets, which is set for release on June 6 via Big Machine Records. The album includes 10 reimagined versions of the country trio's hits, featuring guest appearances from Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Carly Pearce, and other stars. “It was such an honor to create this project with such incredibly talented artists, it’s a pretty indescribable feeling having your colleagues and friends do your songs in such unique ways,” said lead singer Gary LeVox, while expressing that the album is the band’s way of thanking their fans for their support over the past 25 years. In January, Rascal Flatts shared the record’s lead single, “I Dare You,” which features a collaboration with the Jonas Brothers. The band launched their Life Is a Highway Tour in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio on Thursday night, and they hit Toledo on Friday. (Billboard)

The man charged in Tupac Shakur's 1996 shooting death, Duane "Keffe D" Davis, asserts his innocence in a new jailhouse interview with ABC News. Davis, who is facing first-degree murder charges, is speaking out for the first time since his arrest two years ago for the 1996 shooting of the rap legend in Las Vegas. “I’m innocent. I ain’t killed nobody, never did ever kill nobody,” Davis said in the hour-long conversation at the Clark County Detention Center. “I’m supposed to be out there enjoying my twilight. Enjoying life with my kids,” he said, while calling himself a “good man” who has left behind the drug dealing game he was once involved in. Davis’ trial was originally set to begin this month, but in February, the trial was pushed to 2026 following the emergence of new evidence. (Rolling Stone)

Roy Ayers, renowned for his seminal track "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," has passed away at the age of 84. Ayers’ family confirmed the musician’s death on his Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4th, 2025 in New York City after a long illness.” A specific cause of death was not disclosed. The celebrated jazz vibraphonist, known affectionately as the Godfather of Neo Soul, left a profound impact on acid jazz and hip-hop through his innovative fusion sound.

With hits like "Running Away" and "Hot” – which both cracked the Top 20 of Billboard‘s R&B chart – Ayers' music became a popular source for sampling by artists such as Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, Tyler, the Creator, and other contemporary musicians. But it was Ayers’ 1976 album, Everybody Loves the Sunshine, and its enduring title track, that defined his musical legacy. “The song changed everything for me,” Ayers told The Guardian. “It’s still the last song of my show. People always join in, and it’s been sampled over 100 times, by everyone from Dr. Dre to Pharrell Williams. It seems to capture every generation. Everybody loves the sunshine.” (Rolling Stone)

Ice Cube is currently stranded at his Gold Coast hotel as Cyclone Alfred approaches Australia’s southeastern coast. The gangster rap legend, who is currently on a small tour of Australia, made an appearance on The Project on Wednesday night, and tried to make light of the storm bearing down on the area. “I’m staying clear of it,” Cube said. “You know, I’m right here on the beach. The beach looks like it is going to be in the lobby in a minute.” Despite the dangerous weather event, Cube tried to look on the bright side of things. “It is pretty cool, I haven’t been through a cyclone before,” he said. “I can check this off my bucket list for sure.” Ice Cube and B Wise are still scheduled to perform in Sydney on Friday (March 7), followed by a show in Melbourne on Sunday (March 9). Cyclone Alfred is currently a Category 2 system, and has already led to the cancellation of concerts by Green Day, Brad Cox, Courteneers, Alexisonfire, and Underoath. (Billboard) 

Two individuals were arrested and arraigned in New York City on charges of grand larceny, computer tampering, conspiracy and tampering, tied to the online theft of over 900 concert tickets, including those for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Tyrone Rose and Shamara P. Simmons profited over $600,000 from their alleged scheme, which involved intercepting already purchased tickets – including in demand shows by Ed Sheeran and Adele as well as Swift – redirecting their URLs, and reselling them on StubHub from June 2022 to July 2023. District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement that “these defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift’s concert tour and other high-profile events to profit at the expense of others.”  StubHub's chief legal officer Mark Streams says that his company “has since replaced or refunded all identified orders impacted and strengthened security measures to further protect our fans and sellers.” (Variety)

On Thursday (March 6), Glastonbury unveiled its 2025 lineup featuring headliners Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Doechii, and the 1975, who join previously announced legends Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts and Rod Stewart at the top of the lineup. Despite prior rumors, Oasis won't be performing, while speculation surrounds potential appearances by artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Rihanna. The festival will also feature performances by Gracie Abrams, Raye, Shaboozey, Busta Rhymes, Brandi Carlile, Noah Kahan, Alanis Morissette, PinkPantheress, St. Vincent, Father John Misty, Lucy Dacus, Weezer, and Nile Rodgers and Chic, with more artists to be announced. Glastonbury is scheduled for June 25-29 at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England, and tickets to the festival sold-out in 30 minutes. Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis revealed that the annual festival will not take place in 2026 in order to “give the land a rest,” telling The Sun. “The festival before a fallow year is always a fun one to plan, because you almost have to fit two years into one.” (Rolling Stone)

Electronic artist Deadmau5 has sold his personal song catalog and that of his Mau5trap record label to Create Music Group in a $55 million deal. The package includes the sound recordings and copyrights for over 4,000 songs, and features a joint venture for the artist to release future work. Create Music Group aims to implement a “robust multi-platform strategy” to revamp the catalog and reissue classic releases from the label, which includes work by Skrillex, Rezz, Noisia, Feed Me, and i_o. The collaboration signifies a shift towards exploring gaming, VR, and live streaming for revenue streams, continuing the DJ’s influence in music, technology, and beyond. With a career dating back to 2005, Deadmau5, aka Joel Zimmerman, says the partnership was a natural fit. "We didn’t need to look far when we were considering a partner to help get it all to the next level,” he said. “With Create, I feel the music is going to reach more.” (Variety)

While discussing her musical influences on her SiriusXM channel, “Gaga Radio,” Lady Gaga revealed that her forthcoming album, Mayhem, draws inspiration from '90s music icons such as Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. Gaga specifically mentioned NIN's classic 1994 single as impacting the sound of her record, saying “‘Closer’ is a huge inspiration for Mayhem.” Gaga also admitted that she has recently been getting into “heavier and intense” music. “When I heard Johnny Cash do [Nine Inch Nails’] ‘Hurt,’ I realized that so many different kinds of music could find their way into these sorts of sounds,” she said. In an interview with Elle, Gaga attributed the album's industrial edge to other influential artists. “There’s a transitional moment on the album that’s rooted in ’90s music. A sort of electro grunge defiance,” Gaga says. “That era in music which was a response to the music that came before it. And then David Bowie theatrical rock, Prince, Radiohead. I was inspired by so much music that has grown roots in my veins.” (Consequence of Sound)

During a recent appearance on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, Oscar-winning director Ezra Edelman expressed frustration and disbelief about Netflix deciding to shelve his nine-hour Prince documentary. Last month, the streaming service chose not to release the expansive film about the late music legend, following prolonged disputes with Prince’s estate. Edelman invested five years of his life working on the Prince documentary, after winning an Academy Award for his 2016 doc, O.J.: Made in America. The filmmaker dismissed claims made by Prince’s estate of “dramatic” factual inaccuracies and “sensationalized” renderings of the musician’s life in the documentary, noting that instead of flagging his film for factual errors, they came back with what he describes as “a 17-page document full of editorial issues, not factual issues.” “You think I have any interest in putting out a film that’s factually inaccurate?” Edelman said. The director remains critical of the estate’s decision, while highlighting the missed opportunity to showcase Prince’s brilliance for a new generation. (Rolling Stone)

Coldplay’s Chris Martin will help select artists to perform at the 2026 World Cup Final's halftime show at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026. That will mark the very first halftime show in the long, prestigious history of the FIFA World Cup. FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the historic event, in partnership with Global Citizen, with a post on Instagram on Wednesday (March 5). In addition to the halftime show performances, FIFA also plans to “takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final.” Martin and Coldplay's manager Phil Harvey will help “finalise the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square.” Coldplay have some experience with these types of high-profile live performances, as they headlined the halftime show during Super Bowl 50 in 2016, where they played a medley of their hits and were joined by special guests Bruno Mars and Beyoncé. (Rolling Stone)

GloRilla is set to headline the AT&T Super Saturday concert at the Women’s NCAA Final Four in Tampa Bay on April 5th. The Memphis rapper will bring her hits-filled catalog to the stage for the free show at Curtis Hixon Park. The performance will get underway at 6 p.m. CT, with the first 5,000 fans receiving glowing wristbands to enhance their experience. GloRilla is best known for her Grammy-nominated song, “Yeah Glo!” and her hit collaboration with Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2.” GloRilla had a breakout 2024 due to the release of her Ehhthang Ehhthang EP and debut album GLORIOUS, while also serving as the high-profile opening act on Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour.“Get ready GloRidaz! We’re about to turn up in Tampa at the NCAA Super Saturday Concert,” Glo said in a statement. “I can’t wait to connect with my fans during one of the most exciting times for women’s sports!” (Billboard)

After teasing the highly-anticipated release of her new country single, “The Giver,” for weeks, Chappell Roan took to Instagram to reveal that the track will finally arrive on Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET. Roan co-wrote "The Giver" with her longtime producer and frequent collaborator, Dan Nigro, who won the 2025 Grammy Award for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical. “We’ve never done a country song and I have such a special place in my heart for country music,” Roan wrote in the caption. “I grew up listening to it every morning and afternoon on my school bus.” While fans are wondering if Roan is going full country with her upcoming album like many other current pop crossovers have done already, the Best New Artist Grammy-winner isn’t ready to commit to a specific sound at the moment. “Many people have asked if this means I’m making a country album???,” she wrote. “My answer is.. hmm right now I’m just making songs that make me feel happy.” (Variety)

During two sold-out shows at Brooklyn's Kings Theatre over the weekend, Diana Ross delivered a series of The Supremes classics as well as solo hits from throughout her legendary career. The iconic 80-year-old diva also announced to the crowd, “I’ll never retire,” a point which is reinforced by the tireless singer’s ongoing tour, which kicked off in California in mid-February and continues with a string of Florida shows later this month, before heading to the UK and Europe for a number of dates from June 22 to July 13. Ross celebrated her Brooklyn shows and her supportive family in an Instagram reel shared on Tuesday (March 4), featuring clips from her performance alongside the caption, “The Brooklyn shows were like a party! I love performing with my daughter @therhondaross and was so happy to see my son @realevanross and grandson Raif ♥️ the love fest continues!” Ross teased adding even  dates to her tour, writing on her website, “Stay tuned as more shows will be announced for 2025." (People)

Elton John will headline the Curebound Concert for Cures benefit show on May 9 at San Diego’s Petco Park to raise money for cancer research. This will be one of Sir Elton’s few major live events since he officially retired from the road in 2023. The show is part of the Concert for Cures live music series that began in 2022, which has featured prior performances by Ed Sheeran and Alicia Keys with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra that helped raise over $8.5 million to fight cancer. Despite his retirement, John has played several one-off dates of late, including duetting with Chappell Roan at his Oscar Party in Los Angeles on Sunday (March 2). Elton has been focused on recording a new collaborative album with Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels?, which will be released on April 4. John and Carlile have also scheduled a special performance together at the London Palladium on March 26. Tickets for John’s San Diego concert go on-sale on Friday (March 7), with prices starting at $300. (Rolling Stone)

Jay-Z has filed a defamation and malicious prosecution lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault and later admitted inconsistencies in her story, leading to the voluntary dismissal of her lawsuit. In the new lawsuit, filed in federal court in Alabama, Jay-Z accuses the woman and her lawyers — Tony Buzbee and David Fortney — of engaging in an “evil conspiracy” to extort him with the “completely fabricated” and “wildly horrific” claim that he raped Jane Doe alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2000. The lawsuit also alleges that the woman admitted to fabricating the assault claim against him, while claiming that she has a series of mental health disorders and a history of legal issues. Jay-Z is seeking real and punitive damages, citing the damage to his family and reputation, as well as alleged financial losses for his entertainment company, Roc Nation. “Defendants acted with malice in pursuing and initiating the meritless lawsuit against Mr. Carter,” reads the filing. (Rolling Stone)

Doja Cat reflected on her performance at the 2025 Oscars in a candid Instagram post on Monday (March 3). The 29-year-old musician took part in the James Bond tribute during the ceremony, singing the iconic tune, "Diamonds Are Forever," which was originally made famous by Shirley Bassey. Doja addressed the online criticism surrounding her performance, while expressing gratitude to the Academy Awards for the opportunity. “I never get to sing like that and what I did was brave and scary as f**k for me,” she wrote. “I know a lot of people didn’t like it but a lot of people did and I feel good that I pushed myself. But the nerves got to me and a b**ch hit some flats. I can’t wait to do something like that again.” No matter what you think of her vocals, Doja looked incredible during her performance, wearing a custom-made ensemble by her longtime creative director, Brett Alan Nelson, which featured over one million Swarovski crystals. (People)

Gracie Abrams has been forced to postpone two additional shows on the U.K. and European leg of The Secret Of Us Tour due to an undisclosed illness. Abrams has postponed her scheduled shows on March 3 in Nottingham, England, and March 4 in Leeds, which follows a previously called-off gig in Brussels, Belgium on February 28. “I can’t tell you how much this breaks my heart,” Abrams shared in a handwritten note on her Instagram Stories. “Please know I’d give anything to be able to be with you. Thank you for understanding. I’m sending all my love and my deepest regrets.” Abrams aims to return to the stage on March 6 in London, and hopes to reschedule these missed shows as soon as possible. To make up for the postponed dates, Abrams’ opening act on her tour, Dora Jar, is trying to organize an impromptu solo show on Monday (March 3) so fans “can get together and make the most out of this moment.” (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (March 3), Alanis Morissette took to Instagram to announce the dates and details of her first-ever Las Vegas residency. The eight-date run will take place at the Colosseum at Caesars, with shows scheduled on October 15th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 24th, and 25th, as well as November 1st and 2nd. Tickets will go on-sale on March 7 at 10 a.m. PT. Morissette has a series of festival appearances and European and U.K. shows scheduled throughout the rest of the year, including BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, California on May 4, and Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend in Miramar Beach, Florida on May 10. The seven-time Grammy winner also just announced a huge London show on July 27 at the 02 Arena, which features special guest opening act Liz Phair. In November, Morissette was nominated for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. (Rolling Stone)