LL Cool J delves into the birth and evolution of rap in New York City in the new trailer for the upcoming docuseries, Hip-Hop Was Born Here. The five-part show features interviews with rap luminaries such as Method Man, Grandmaster Caz, Roxanne Shante, and Big Daddy Kane, while providing a historical and musical tour of the five boroughs, showcasing how the city shaped the genre. The trailer features LL visiting the birthplace of hip-hop, with the rap legend making a pilgrimage to the Bronx park where DJ Kool Herc set up his equipment and threw his groundbreaking first parties. Other NYC-centric stories will be featured in each episode, while also exploring the global impact of rap music. Hip-Hop Was Born Here will premiere on July 22 on Paramount+, with the docuseries hosted, executive produced, and co-created by LL Cool J, in collaboration with NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. (Rolling Stone)

Dua Lipa continued the U.K. leg of her Radical Optimism Tour by covering a pair of legendary local artists during her recent shows in England and Ireland. Lipa performed the Beatles' classic, “Hey Jude,” during her stadium show at Anfield in Liverpool on June 25, and covered the Zutons’ “Valerie” – which was popularized by the late Amy Winehouse – with the Liverpudlian rock group’s singer Dave McCabe the night before. Lipa then paid a touching tribute to the late Sinéad O'Connor by performing her Billboard No. 1 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday night (June 27). “Tonight, I am honored to perform a song by a late Irish legend,” Lipa said before her emotional rendition of the Prince-penned classic. This continues Lipa’s trend of covering hometown artists during stops on her tour – performing hits from AC/DC, Lorde, and Kylie Minogue on the Australian/New Zealand leg – while also collaborating with local stars Charli XCX and Jamiroquai's Jay Kay during her recent London shows at Wembley Stadium. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA have broken the touring record previously held by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as the duo’s ongoing Grand National Tour is officially the highest-grossing co-headline tour of all-time. Kendrick and SZA just completed the North American leg of their tour, which grossed $256.4 million from 1.1 million tickets sold over the course of 23 shows. The Grand National Tour surpassed the total gross of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run II Tour by a 1% margin. While Bey and Jay still hold the co-headlining record with 2.2 million tickets sold, there is potential for Lamar and SZA to surpass them in total tickets sold by the end of the tour, which continues with a series of European dates beginning in July. In addition to this milestone, Lamar also just announced a Latin American leg of the Grand National Tour which will take place without SZA, as the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper will perform in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, with opening acts Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso. (AV Club)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem spends a sixth straight week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. I’m the Problem earned 177,000 units over the past week, netting the largest total for an album in its sixth week on the chart since Adele’s 25 earned 363,000 in its sixth week in January 2016. Three new releases debut in the current Billboard 200 Top 10, as Benson Boone’s American Heart lands at No. 2, marking his highest-charting album and biggest week of his career, while Karol G notches her third career Top 10 album with the No. 3 arrival of Tropicoqueta, and the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack enters at No. 8, becoming the first soundtrack released in 2025 to reach the Top 10, and the highest-debuting soundtrack of the year. The rest of Top 10 is filled out by all former No. 1 albums, as SZA’s SOS holds at No. 4, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 5, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet stays at No. 6, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX rises one spot to No. 7, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album is steady at No. 9, and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U sticks at No. 10. (Billboard)

During Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour stop in her hometown of Houston on Saturday night (June 28), the airborne car she rides in during her performance of “16 Carriages” experienced a technical mishap, visibly tilting mid-air and causing the singer to stop the track mid-song. Despite the alarming moment – which was caught on fan-shot footage shared on social media – Beyoncé was eventually lowered to safety and continued the song and finished the show. She reassured the hometown audience at NRG Stadium upon her return to the stage by saying, “If ever I fall, I know ya’ll catch me.” Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment released a statement shared to their Instagram Story which reads: “Tonight in Houston, at NRG Stadium, a technical mishap caused the flying car, a prop Beyonce uses to circle the stadium, and see her fans up close, to tilt. She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident.” Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour continued with another performance at NRG Stadium on Sunday (June 29). (Billboard)

Brandy and Monica made an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday (June 25), and the Grammy-winning singers confirmed their plans to collaborate on new music alongside their upcoming joint tour. They duo just announced The Boy Is Mine Tour, a 24-date trek which is set to begin on October 16 in Cincinnati and concludes on December 7 in Houston, with support coming from Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and Jamal Roberts. “It opens the door, for sure,” Brandy said of the tour inspiring them to make new music together. Host Jimmy Fallon suggested they could have a studio on their tour bus, while Monica quickly dismissed that idea. “No, we’re not doing the studio tour bus. We’re seasoned women. We need proper rest, alright?” She added, “So what we’re going to do is just be smart about it. We’ll start working on the music immediately, and then we can just be promoting it while we’re on the road.” (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (June 25), Cardi B took to social media to explain her decision to include the popular singles "WAP" and "Up" on her forthcoming album, Am I the Drama?, despite the songs first being released back in 2020 and 2021, respectively. “This will be the last and only time I’m gonna address this,” the Grammy-winning rapper started, “WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs, my fans have been asking me to put them on an album, they deserve a home. At this point I’m giving my fans what they want!” “WAP,” Cardi’s first collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending four weeks atop the chart, while "Up" also reached No. 1, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance in 2022. On June 20, the rapper shared her new single, "Outside," which will also be included on Am I the Drama? when it drops on September 19. (People)

Lorde shared an Instagram Story on Thursday (June 26) that seemingly confirms that she will be performing a secret set at Glastonbury 2025. Lorde's post features an aerial photo of the festival’s Woodsies tent, which conspicuously has an unannounced slot remaining at 11:30 a.m. on Friday (June 27), which coincides with the release day of her highly-anticipated fourth album, Virgin. Lorde previously expressed interest in returning to the festival during a recent BBC Radio 2 interview, with the two-time Grammy winner responding to a question about playing Glasto by hinting, “I’m pretty keen, honestly, ‘cause the album’s gonna be coming out right around that time. I am quite tempted by what’s going on because I’ve got lots of friends playing as well. We’ll see if I can pull some strings and get there.” Other rumored secret sets at Glastonbury 2025 include acts like Lewis Capaldi, Haim, Pulp, and Chappell Roan, with the festival set to be headlined by The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo. (NME)

Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson's cause of death was revealed in the Los Angeles County Department of Health's death certificate, which disclosed that “respiratory arrest” was the primary cause, with sepsis and cystitis listed as contributing factors. The certificate also revealed additional health issues at the time of Wilson's passing, including obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory failure, and a neurodegenerative disorder. Wilson's family had previously shared his battle with dementia in February 2024. Wilson's death on June 11 left fans and the music world mourning the loss of a musical genius, with the Beach Boys paying tribute to his legacy by writing at the time: “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of the Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.” (Rolling Stone)

After nine years together, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have officially ended their engagement. The famous couple first met at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2016, and briefly split in 2017 before getting back together the following year. The couple revealed that they were engaged in 2019, with Perry describing the moment to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel: “It was very sweet. It was Valentine’s Day … we went to dinner, and I thought we were going to go see some art after dinner, but we pulled up to a helicopter. We landed on a rooftop [in Los Angeles] — my whole family was there, and all my friends. He did so well.” The couple welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in August 2020. Bloom also has a 14-year-old son, Flynn, from his previous marriage to Miranda Kerr. Neither Perry nor Bloom has commented on the status of their relationship, and their reps have not issued a public comment. (Rolling Stone)

During Louis Vuitton's ‘Spring/Summer 2026’ fashion show in Paris on Tuesday (June 24), Doechii and Tyler, the Creator previewed their upcoming Pharrell-produced collaboration. “Get Right.” This marks the two Grammy-winning rappers second partnership, following their 2024 joint track, "Balloon," from Tyler’s Billboard 200 chart-topping album, Chromakopia. Doechii worked closely with Pharrell, Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director, on her H-to-T LV look that she wore to the 2025 Met Gala. Doechii also served as one of the members of the costume institute benefit’s host committee, while Pharrell served as one of the co-chairs. The soundtrack for the runway show also featured Pharrell's production of Clipse's “So Be It Pt. II,” as guests like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, J-Hope, and Future occupied the front row. After the show, Pharrell presented Beyoncé – who just finished a three-night run at Paris’ Stade de France on her Cowboy Carter Tour – with a bag fresh off the runway. (Billboard)

Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans at her sold-out show in Dublin's Marlay Park on Tuesday night (June 24) by performing a cover of Fontaines D.C.’s “I Love You.” Rodrigo’s Ireland show was part of her ongoing Guts World Tour, and served as a warm-up for her largest U.K. gig to date, a sold-out headline show at London’s Hyde Park on Friday (June 27),  which will be followed by her highly-anticipated headlining slot at Glastonbury on Sunday night. “Lately I’ve been obsessed with this band Fontaines D.C.,” Rodrigo told the audience, paying tribute to the Grammy-nominated, Dublin-based rock band. “I’ve been playing this song alone in my room for fun, and I was wondering if it’d be cool if I played it for you guys.” Rodrigo performed her stripped-down version solo at the start, before eventually being joined by her full backing band, as the track built to an emotional climax. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (June 25), Sabrina Carpenter unveiled an alternate cover for her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend, amid the controversy surrounding the original provocative image on her record cover. The new black and white photograph – shot by Bryce Anderson, who also took the original cover photo – features Carpenter standing close to a man in a suit, offering a less controversial option to fans and critics alike. The Grammy-winning pop star made light of the uproar in the caption to her post, writing “i signed some copies of Man’s Best Friend for you guys & here is a new alternate cover approved by God available now on my website 🤍.” Additionally, Carpenter also revealed her second drink collaboration with Dunkin’ Donuts, “Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher,” in a playful ad campaign by photographer/director Nadia Lee Cohen that showcases the singer as a charming “Daydream Matchmaker” who answers vintage-style hotline calls. (Variety)

On Saturday (June 21), lifelong Dodgers fan Ice Cube was honored with his very own bobblehead day during a game at Dodgers Stadium. Despite the home team’s loss to the Washington Nationals, the event drew a record-breaking attendance of 54,154 fans, surpassing the previous attendance record for the 2025 season. The bobblehead features the hip-hop legend sporting a matching Dodgers jersey and jacket with the team’s branding. In addition to the limited-edition collectible, an Ice Cube-themed drone show was organized by the Dodgers to honor the rapper. While Ice Cube couldn’t attend the event himself, TMZ caught up with the N.W.A.-alum at the airport. “It felt great,” Cube said of the bobblehead tribute. “Amazing — something I never expected to have. Sorry I can’t be there.” Cube performed before Game 2 of the 2024 World Series, with the Dodgers ultimately winning the championship against the Yankees, and he brought the World Series trophy into the stadium during opening day of the 2025 season. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at a benefit concert in Nashville on Tuesday night (June 24), with the music superstar performing "Shake It Off" on an acoustic guitar at the 1,200 capacity Brooklyn Bowl. The impromptu performance took place at the end of Kane Brown's set, stunning the audience and delighting fans who had gathered for the 'Tight Ends & Friends' charity event, which was hosted by Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Swift used a guitar she borrowed from Chase Rice, who performed earlier that evening, playing a stripped-down version of her lead single from her Grammy-winning album, 1989. She took a moment mid-song to praise Brown’s contribution to her performance, “Honestly, have you ever seen a tambourine played like this? This is fantastic work over here by Mr. Kane Brown.” Brown later shared a photo of him with Swift and Kelce on Instagram, joking in the caption, “When you think you’re the special guest BUT you’re not 😂.” This impromptu performance marks Swift's first live appearance since The Eras Tour wrapped up in December. (Variety) 

Bobby Sherman, a top teen idol of the late 1960s and early '70s, has passed away at the age of 81 after battling kidney cancer. The sad news was announced by his wife, Brigitte Poublon, on Instagram on Tuesday (June 24). “It is with the heaviest heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Bobby Sherman,” she wrote. “And though our family feels his loss profoundly, we also feel the warmth of his legacy—his voice, his laughter, his music, his mission. Thank you to every fan who ever sang along, who ever sent love his way. He felt it.” Sherman rose to fame starring in the hit ABC TV series, Here Come the Brides, which ran from 1968 to 1970. Sherman's music career was marked by a run of chart-topping success in the span of only two and a half years, which featured a string of gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits, “Little Woman,” “La La La (If I Had You),” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me.” Sherman also had three Top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 – Bobby Sherman, Here Comes Bobby and With Love – which were all certified gold. Bobby is survived by his wife, sons Tyler and Christopher, and six grandchildren. (Billboard)

Brandy and Monica just announced that they are launching their first-ever co-headlining The Boy Is Mine Tour, with special guests Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and American Idol winner Jamal Roberts. The 24-date arena tour kicks off in Cincinnati on October 16, and includes stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn, before concluding in Houston on December 7. The tour is named after their iconic 1998 duet, “The Boy Is Mine,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks, earning them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. In 2024, Brandy and Monica teamed up with Ariana Grande for “The Boy Is Mine (Remix),” which scored them a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.“This really is a full-circle moment,” Brandy said in a statement. “To share the stage all these years later is bigger than a reunion—it’s a celebration of growth, sisterhood, and the love our fans have given us from day one.” Presale for the tour begins on Thursday (June 26), with general on-sale starting Friday (June 27). (Variety)

In the new trailer for the upcoming Netflix competition series, Building the Band, the late Liam Payne is shown offering guidance and encouragement to aspiring musicians. The show, which is set to premiere on July 9 and will be hosted by AJ McLean (Backstreet Boys), blends elements of The Voice and Love Is Blind, and features singers blindly selecting potential band members based on their vocal talent alone. The competitors will be advised by star mentor Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls), along with guest judges Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) and the late One Direction singer. Despite Payne's unexpected death, the show will go on as planned, showcasing his insights and advice to contestants as they compete for the chance to be crowned the winner. Recording for the series was completed in July 2024, four months before Payne’s tragic death. Netflix initially halted production on the show, only setting a premiere date after Payne’s family approved footage from the series. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (June 24), the prosecution rested its case in the high-profile Sean Combs trial, where the disgraced entertainment mogul is accused of five felony charges of sex-trafficking and racketeering. The defense team has announced that they don’t plan to call any witnesses, with Combs choosing not to testify in his own defense. The court has seen six weeks of witness testimonies, emotional accounts from three alleged sexual-abuse victims, and a mountain of evidence presented by the prosecution, including documentation of a series of alleged "freak-offs" with Combs' ex-girlfriends and an array of male escorts. Combs' defense team confirmed that they do not plan to call any live witnesses and will rely only on introducing exhibits before resting their case. The trial is expected to conclude before the July Fourth holiday, with jurors potentially beginning deliberations as soon as Friday. Combs faces life in prison if convicted. (Rolling Stone)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” reclaims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, one week after being knocked off the top spot by Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” In addition to Warren claiming his third total week topping the Hot 100, “Ordinary” also becomes his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart, while spending a fourth week at No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay tally and a second week at No. 1 on Pop Airplay, while also cracking the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart with its No. 9 peak. Meanwhile, Carpenter’s “Manchild” – her second career chart-topper –  drops one spot to No. 2 this week.

Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, sticks at No. 3, with the country superstar’s “Just in Case” holding at No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” remaining at No. 6, with all three hits included on Wallen’s I’m the Problem, the No. 1 album in the country for the fifth week running. This also marks Wallen’s fifth week charting at least three simultaneous Top 10 hits this year, matching Kendrick Lamar for the most. The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” holding at No. 5, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” stays at No. 7, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” sticks at No. 8, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” keeps at No. 9, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” remains at No. 10. (Billboard)