2025 VMAs NOMINEES:

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)

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)

Justin Timberlake has just revealed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease during his just-completed Forget Tomorrow World Tour. The ten-time Grammy-winning singer shared his health update in a series of Instagram Stories that coincided with the final show of his tour in Istanbul on Wednesday (July 30), disclosing that nerve pain and severe fatigue affected his recent performances. “I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme Disease–which I don’t say so you feel bad for me – but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” he wrote. “Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.” Timberlake contemplated pausing the tour in order to focus on his health, but ultimately he “decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.” Timberlake launched his tour in April 2023, traveling throughout the world while promoting his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was. (Variety)

Busta Rhymes will be honored by receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony set to take place on Friday afternoon (August 1) in Los Angeles. The event will feature guest speakers LL Cool J, Chris Rock, and Chuck D, with radio host Big Boy emceeing. Reflecting on his illustrious hip-hop career in an interview segment on CBS Mornings on Monday (July 28), Busta called the recognition “divine timing,” while adding, “Thirty-five years of professional recording is a long earning of my rite to passage. I’m just glad they decided it’s time for me.” Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said Busta’s star “will stand as a testament to his lasting impact on hip-hop music and how important it is to the American culture.” Alongside this recognition, Busta is preparing to release his 12th studio album, Vengeance, this September, and stars in the upcoming The Naked Gun reboot. (Billboard)

Lil Baby and his nonprofit, The Jones Project, hosted their fifth annual Back to School Fest in Atlanta’s West End Production Park on Saturday (July 26). The event provided free school supplies, uniforms, and fun activities like carnival rides, games, and hair services to over 4,000 students and their families. Supported by various local partners and city leaders, the event emphasized the importance of giving back, with Lil Baby expressing how lack of school essentials can negatively affect kids’ lives. “It means a lot to be able to come back and give back, because I know so much comes behind not having shoes and school utensils and stuff for school — because that be a lot of kids’ reason to steer off,” Baby told The Atlanta Voice. Launched in 2021 to uplift his hometown youth, the initiative earned praise from attendees for Lil Baby’s genuine involvement and personal commitment beyond financial support. (Billboard)

Over the weekend, Paramore’s Hayley Williams surprised fans by releasing 17 new songs on her rudimentary website, accessible via a code linked to her Good Dye Young hair dye company. The tracks have a confessional, homemade charm to them, ranging from meditative tracks like “True Believer” and “BloodBros,” to edgy, inventive rockers like “IceInMyOJ” and “Hard.” It remains unclear if this unannounced collection serves as an official follow-up to Williams’ previous solo projects, 2020’s Petals for Armor and its 2021 sequel, Flowers for Vases/ Descansos. The site also includes miscellaneous extras like a 2017 live performance clip, lyric sheets, and a photo featuring a “Hayley Williams is my favorite band” T-shirt. This surprise drop follows last week’s Nashville public radio release of Williams’ new song, “Mirtazapine,” which she performed live for the first time with Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers at the Newport Folk Festival on Friday. (Billboard)

On Monday (July 28), the Stray Cats announced the dates and details of their fall 2025 U.S tour, the band’s first live shows since frontman Brian Setzer’s autoimmune disease diagnosis. “The Stray Cats are back and ready to rock this fall!” the band captioned their tour announcement post. “Catch all three original members - Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, and Slim Jim Phantom bring their signature rockabilly sound across the U.S. ” The 21-date jaunt kicks-off on October 25 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, followed by stops in cities including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, with the tour concluding on November 23 in Wheatland, California. Despite Setzer’s February 2025 revelation that the condition affected his ability to play guitar, the 66-year-old musician reported gradual improvement while expressing hopes to tour the globe again soon. Ticket presale starts on Wednesday (July 29), followed by general on-sale beginning Friday (August 1). (Consequence of Sound)

Destiny’s Child reunited for a surprise medley during the final night of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour in Las Vegas on Saturday (July 26). Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland delighted the sold-out crowd at Allegiant Stadium by joining Beyoncé on stage to perform “Lose My Breath,” “Energy,” and their iconic 2001 No. 1 hit, “Bootylicious.” This marked the celebrated trio’s first joint performance since Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella appearance. The brief but electrifying reunion came about 40 songs into the show, with Beyoncé making a short but impactful introduction, “Destiny’s Child, bitch.” Williams and Rowland even nailed the “mute challenge” portion of “Energy,” with Kelly teasing the audience by mouthing “shut up.” The night also featured other special appearances, including Shaboozey recreating his “Sweet Honey Buckin’” duet with Beyoncé, while Jay-Z joined his wife on her Grammy-winning hit “Crazy in Love,” and his 2001 track, “N—-s in Paris,” making the closing show on the Cowboy Carter Tour a memorable celebration of Beyoncé’s collaborative history. (Variety)

Chappell Roan's long-awaited new single, "The Subway," seems poised for release next week. Ads featuring the singer have popped up around New York City, along with a cryptic message, “Going through a break up? Get Bangs!” Roan appears in the promo shots sporting bangs, with a rat and cigarette in her hair, along with a bread clip that reads, “Best Before August 1,” which hints at a potential release date for the new track. Fans are speculating that a studio version of “The Subway” is finally set to drop, after Roan had previously performed the song at a series of major festivals throughout the summer of 2024, including its live debut at Governors Ball in New York. Roan was also seen shooting a music video around New York City earlier this month. (Rolling Stone)

NBC's hit singing competition show, The Voice, is set to see the reunion of former coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine for its upcoming 29th season. This comes as the network has also announced the coaches for Season 28, which include Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Niall Horan, and Reba McEntire. Both seasons are being filmed concurrently, leading to the early announcement of the Season 29 coaches. The 29th season, dubbed "The Voice: Battle of Champions," will feature various format revamps, including a "Triple Turn Competition" and an "In-Season All-Star Competition" during the knockouts. Additionally, the semi-final and finale week will involve a new voting block comprised of super fans and past Voice artists. (Deadline)

A two-part documentary series titled, Taylor, is in the works, which explores Taylor Swift’s historic rise to pop superstardom. The project is directed by Guy King, and is set to premiere on Channel 4 in the U.K. “Taylor Swift is an unprecedentedly powerful 21st-century voice for women and young people,” King shared in a statement. “Under the microscope of social media since the earliest days of MySpace and Tumblr, she came of age during a new feminist wave. With her fame came controversy, which she so skillfully wrestled to the floor. We’re excited to tell her story.” The docuseries will feature “rare archive” content and insights from experts and fans, aiming to capture Swift's evolution into one of the most important, influential, and best-selling artists of the modern age. The series will be produced by Sandpaper Films, with Jessica Brady leading production. An official release date for Taylor has not yet been announced. (Rolling Stone)