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The Weeknd Breaks R&B Touring Records Held By Beyoncé And Bruno Mars

18 Aug 2025

The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour has set the record as “the biggest R&B tour in history,” grossing over $600 million and selling nearly five million tickets, according to Billboard. The Weeknd kicked off his epic tour nearly three years ago in July 2022, and it has subsequently raked in $635.5 million, becoming only the “ninth tour to hit this benchmark, and the only one by an R&B artist or a Black artist.” With those figures, the Weeknd’s tour has now eclipsed Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, which grossed $579.8 million, while also surpassing Bruno Mars’ previous record of 3.6 million tickets sold on his 2017-18’s 24K Magic World Tour. By the time the After Hours Til Dawn Tour comes to a close on September 3 in San Antonio, it will have earned close to $700 million, with around 5.5 million tickets sold. (Billboard)

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Joe Perry Plays Aerosmith Classics With Members Of The Black Crowes And Stone Temple Pilots

15 Aug 2025

With Aerosmith’s future uncertain due to Steven Tyler’s larynx injury, guitarist Joe Perry is keeping the band’s legacy alive through a new iteration of the Joe Perry Project, which includes Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford, the Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson, and Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo. The group launched their U.S. tour on Wednesday night (August 13) at the Hard Rock Event Center in Tampa, performing a set filled with Aerosmith classics – including “Last Child,” “Same Old Song and Dance,” and “Draw the Line” – alongside hits from the Black Crowes and Stone Temple Pilots, with veteran drummer Jason Sutter replacing STP’s Eric Kretz at the last minute due to a “family emergency.” While Aerosmith remains inactive, a future tour is unlikely due to Tyler’s vocal issues. “He just doesn’t want to tour, and he can’t tour. It’s tough,” Perry said of the Aerosmith frontman In a recent interview with WBUR. (Rolling Stone)

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Chris Brown Surprises 13-Year-Old Fan And Her Mom With Gifts Of A New Car And $10,000 At Recent Tour Stop

13 Aug 2025

At a recent Chris Brown concert, 13-year-old fan Gabby and her mother were surprised with a VIP experience arranged by Brown and TikTok influencer MDMotivator, which included $10,000 in cash and a brand-new car. After buying mystery tickets from MDMotivator, Gabby, a dancer inspired by Brown, met the R&B superstar and received encouragement from him to keep pursuing her passion. “You said you dance? Don’t stop, go harder and harder,” Brown said. “Always be yourself. I love you guys.” The emotional moment, captured on video and shared by Brown, showed Gabby’s excitement and Brown’s praise for MDMotivator’s charitable efforts, with the surprise ending in the gift of a new Ford. The act of generosity has drawn widespread praise from the likes of Tony Yayo, Kelly Rowland, and actor Omari Hardwick. Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX Tour continues with upcoming shows at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey and Rogers Stadium in Toronto. (Billboard)

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Iggy Azalea Says She Has Retired From Music To Focus On Being A Crypto Entrepreneur

12 Aug 2025

After retiring from music in 2024 and earning substantial income through OnlyFans, Iggy Azalea has reinvented herself as a crypto entrepreneur. The former pop star has launched a meme coin called Mother, which is inspired by her experience raising her son, Onyx, who was born in 2020 while Azalea was with her ex, Playboi Carti. Following the success of hits like her 2014 collaboration with Charli XCX, "Fancy," Azalea spent years feeling adrift in the music industry. “I think a big part of the last ten years of my life, honestly, have been about getting that control back for me: To be able to navigate my own ship in those ways. It feels really good to be able to do it,” she said in a new interview with ABC’s Nightline. Azalea’s business ventures, including co-founding wireless provider Unreal Mobile, were funded in large part by her OnlyFans earnings, though she refuted the exaggerated claims that she made $48 million on the site in 2024. (Consequence of Sound)

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Taylor Swift Announces Her New Album, 'The Life Of A Showgirl'

12 Aug 2025

Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album "The Life Of A Showgirl," set for an October 13th, 2025 release. Pre-orders for vinyl, CD, and cassette versions are now available. The pop superstar will promote the album by appearing on the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce on August 13th at 7:00 p.m. ET. They released a short video yesterday in which Swift reveals the album cover and title to Jason as they record the episode. Swift's previous album "The Tortured Poets Department" was released in April 2024. Pre-orders for the new album are now available on TaylorSwift.com. (COS)

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Ariana Grande Surprises 9-Year-Old Cancer Patient With ‘Wicked’ Care Package

11 Aug 2025

Ariana Grande brightened the day of 9-year-old cancer patient and social media influencer, Brie Bird, by sending her a Wicked-themed care package on Thursday (August 7). The surprise gift was filled with various plush toys and other film-related goodies, as well as Grande’s own branded nail polish, makeup, and perfume. Grande also included a personal video message expressing admiration for Brie’s courage and explaining her inspiration to create the package after learning of Brie’s love for Wicked and Glinda. "I've seen your videos and I think you are the most amazing, most inspiring little light beam in this universe. You're just so incredible, so thank you for being you," Grande said. "I'm sending you so much love and many, many, many virtual hugs. I hope this makes you smile, and I'll speak to you soon. Love you." Grateful for the thoughtful gesture, Brie and her family shared their deep appreciation, calling it a “wish come true” and praising Grande for her kindness and support during Brie’s challenging health journey. (People)

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Kehlani Offering Free Laundry Services To Mothers To Mark 'Folded' Success

8 Aug 2025

Kehlani is expressing gratitude to her fans for the support of her latest single, "Folded," by offering free laundry services to mothers across the country. The singer, who understands the challenges single mothers face, is paying it forward through a partnership with the nonprofit organization Current Initiatives and their Laundry Project. In a post on Instagram, Kehlani wrote, "growing up i knew how hard it was for all the single mamas in my family to get the tasks done on top of it all. clean clothes is a basic necessity. i got yall." The song "Folded" details the peaceful end of a relationship, and it has gained popularity on TikTok. The free laundry services will take place on Saturday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to noon local time at participating laundromats in several cities, including Long Beach, Oakland, Charlotte, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and New York City. Kehlani  will not be present at the events. (Complex)

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MC Hammer Sued Over Unpaid Car Payments For Land Rover, Bank Says He Owes $76,000

8 Aug 2025

MC Hammer is facing a lawsuit from JPMorgan Chase Bank over an unpaid car loan. The bank claims that Hammer and his company, U Can't Touch This LLC, still owe $76,732.79 on a $114,376.90 loan used to purchase a Land Rover in 2023. Despite the bank's demand for the vehicle's return, Hammer has allegedly refused to surrender the car. This is not the first time Hammer has faced financial difficulties. In 1996, the rapper, known for hits like "U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit 2 Quit," filed for federal bankruptcy protection, claiming only $1 million in assets to pay over $10 million in debts. The bankruptcy case dragged on for years, with a judge in 2002 refusing to discharge Hammer's debts due to his alleged failure to comply with the settlement. In 2013, the IRS sued Hammer, claiming he owed nearly $800,000 in unpaid taxes from 1996 and 1997, which the feds later won a ruling to collect in 2015. (Billboard)

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VMA Nominees Announced

6 Aug 2025

2025 VMAs NOMINEES:

Nominees in each category are listed in alphabetical order by first name.
(**) = New Category

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Agead” – Republic Records
Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather” – Darkroom/Interscope Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” – Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment
Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – Interscope Records
Morgan Wallen – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
The Weeknd – XO/Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
Alex Warren – “Ordinary” – Atlantic Records
Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather” – Darkroom/Interscope Records
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I’m Sorry” – Interscope Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records
Lorde – “What Was That” – Republic Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
Tate McRae – “Sports Car” – RCA Records
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST
Alex Warren – Atlantic Records
Ella Langley – SAWGOD/Columbia Records
Gigi Perez – Island
Lola Young – Island
Sombr – SMB Music/Warner Records
The Marías – Nice Life/Atlantic Records

BEST POP ARTIST **
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Charli XCX – Atlantic Records
Justin Bieber – Def Jam Recordings
Lorde – Republic Records
Miley Cyrus – Columbia Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
Tate McRae – RCA Records

 

MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Aug 2024 – Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE
Sept 2024 – Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin Records/Republic Records
Oct 2024 – Mark Ambor – “Belong Together” – Hundred Days Records/Virgin Music
Nov 2024 – Lay Bankz – “Graveyard” – Artist Partner Group Inc.
Dec 2024 – Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye” – Warner Records
Jan 2025 – Katseye – “Touch” – HYBE/Geffen Records
Feb 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani” – 300 Entertainment
Mar 2025 – Leon Thomas – “Yes It Is” – EZMNY Records/Motown Records
Apr 2025 – Livingston – “Shadow” – Republic Records
May 2025 – Damiano David – “Next Summer” – Sony Italy/Arista Records
June 2025 – Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” – Island
July 2025 – Role Model – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” – Interscope Records

 

BEST COLLABORATION
Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” – Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” – Interscope Records
Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me a Drink” – Mercury Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Sunset Blvd” – SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

 

BEST POP
Alex Warren – “Ordinary” – Atlantic Records
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – Republic Record
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile” – Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

 

BEST HIP-HOP
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
Drake – “Nokia” – OVO/Santa Anna/Republic
Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records
GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “Whatchu Kno About Me” – CMG/Interscope Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
LL Cool J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux” – Def Jam Recordings
Travis Scott – “4X4” – Cactus Jack/Epic Records

BEST R&B
Chris Brown – “Residuals” – Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records
Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “Mutt (Remix)” – EZMNY Records/Motown Records
Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” – Gamma
Partynextdoor – “No Chill” – OVO Sound
Summer Walker – “Heart of a Woman” – LVRN/Interscope Records
SZA – “Drive” – Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA Records
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” – Island
Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up” – KIDinaKorner/Interscope Records
Lola Young – “Messy” – Island
MGK & Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road” – EST 19XX/Interscope Records
Sombr – “Back to Friends” – SMB Music/Warner Records
The Marías – “Back to Me” – Nice Life/Atlantic Records

 

BEST ROCK
Coldplay – “All My Love” – Atlantic Records
Evanescence – “Afterlife (From the Netflix Series “Devil May Cry”)” – Netflix Music
Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard” – Reprise Records/Warner Records
Lenny Kravitz – “Honey” – Roxie Records/BMG Rights Management GmbH
Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine” – Warner Records
Twenty One Pilots – “The Contract” – Fueled By Ramen

 

BEST LATIN
Bad Bunny – “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” – Rimas Entertainment
J Balvin – “Rio” – Capitol Records
Karol G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” – Bichota Records/Interscope Records
Peso Pluma – “La Patrulla” – Double P Records
Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – “Khé?” – Sony Music US Latin
Shakira – “Soltera“ – Sony Music US Latin

 

BEST K-POP
Aespa – “Whiplash” – SM Entertainment/Virgin Music Group
Jennie – “Like Jennie” – OA Entertainment/Columbia Records
Jimin – “Who” – Bighit Music
Jisoo – “Earthquake” – Warner Records
Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye – “Born Again” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom” – JYP/Imperial/Republic
ROSÉ – “Toxic Till the End” – Atlantic Records

 

BEST AFROBEATS
Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” – YBNL Nation/Empire
Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa” – Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records
MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It To The Max (Fly) (Remix)” – gamma.
Rema – “Baby (Is It a Crime)” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / Interscope Records
Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right” – RCA Records/Since ’93
Tyla – “Push 2 Start” – FAX Records/Epic Records
Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart” – Starboy/RCA Records

 

BEST COUNTRY **
Chris Stapleton – “Think I’m In Love With You” – Mercury Nashville
Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You” – CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville
Jelly Roll – “Liar” – BBR Music Group/BMG/Republic Records
Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU” – Broken Bow Records
Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” – Columbia Records
Morgan Wallen – “Smile” – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

 

BEST ALBUM
Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Rimas Entertainment
Kendrick Lamar – GNX – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – Mayhem – Interscope Records
Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – Island
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow – XO/Republic Records

 

BEST LONG FORM VIDEO
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – Republic Records
Bad Bunny – “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (Short Film)” – Rimas Entertainment
Damiano David – “Funny Little Stories” – Sony Italy/Arista Records
Mac Miller – “Balloonerism” – Warner Records
Miley Cyrus – “Something Beautiful” – Columbia Records
The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

 

VIDEO FOR GOOD
Burna Boy – “Higher” – Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records
Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Younger And Hotter Than Me” – SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records
Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking” – Arista Records

 

BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – Republic Records
Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

 

BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
Lorde – “Man of the Year” – Republic Records
Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” – Columbia Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – Republic Records
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover” – Columbia Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

 

BEST EDITING
Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1 the Movie)” – Atlantic Records

 

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records
FKA Twigs – “Eusexua” – Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
Tyla – “Push 2 Start” – FAX Records/Epic Records
Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly” – Epic Records

 

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “Brighter Days Ahead” – Republic Records
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1 the Movie) “ – Atlantic Records
The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

 

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Chappell Roan Says Her Second Album May Not Come Out For 5 Years

5 Aug 2025

Chappell Roan, who recently released a new single titled "The Subway," will be taking her time when it comes to creating a second album. In an interview with Vogue, Roan revealed that her "second project doesn't exist yet." Roan released her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in September 2023, and has since won a Grammy for best new artist and released three singles. However, the artist told Vogue, "There is no album. There is no collection of songs." Roan explained that it took her five years to write her first album, and she expects the next one to take at least as long. "I'm not that type of writer that can pump it out," she said, adding that she doesn't believe she makes "good music whenever I force myself to do anything." The artist also shared that her latest single, "The Subway," "took an annoying amount of time to get just right" because she "wasn't ready to put it out yet." (Variety)

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Soulja Boy Arrested On Weapons Charge During Traffic Stop

4 Aug 2025

Rapper Soulja Boy, also known as DeAndre Cortez Way, found himself in legal trouble after being arrested as a passenger in a car that was pulled over in Los Angeles early Sunday morning. According to the LAPD, the vehicle was stopped at Melrose and Genesee around 2:35 am, and a firearm was spotted inside, leading to Soulja Boy's arrest for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Soulja Boy, best known for his singles "Crank That," "Turn My Swag On," and "Kiss Me Thru the Phone," has faced more legal issues than musical successes this year -- including being ordered to pay $4 million after a sexual assault case in April. In a 2021 interview with Paper, Soulja Boy expressed his indifference towards his standing in the rap community, stating, "I don't care about my place bro... I know where my place in hip hop is. I know what I did for the culture. I know how lit I am." (Variety)

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