Olivia Rodrigo has brought out a number of special guests to join her onstage during her wildly successful GUTS World Tour. At her tour stop in Lexington on Wednesday night (July 24), Rodrigo brought out local country hero Tyler Childers to sing with her in front of his fellow Kentucky music fans. The pair traded off vocals on Childers’ 2019 country hit, “All Your’n,” with the crowd even joining in on the ballad’s stirring chorus. In an Instagram reel capturing Rodrigo and Childers’ memorable collaboration, Rupp Arena’s official account captions a video of the duet, “💜Olivia Rodrigo is all your’n at Rupp.”

During past shows on her GUTS tour, Rodrigo has been joined by Noah Kahan, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Lily Allen, and Avril Lavigne, while the young music superstar also joined in on No Doubt’s Coachella set and sang with Billy Joel during his historic run at Madison Square Garden. Tyler Childers' own tour starts back up again on August 4 in Whitefish, Montana. (People)

In a new episode of the Scandalous Podcast, Slayer guitarist Gary Holt shares his thoughts about a variety of modern music superstars. The 60-year-old metal legend was quick to praise the biggest pop star of them all, Taylor Swift. “I love Taylor Swift. Why all the hate?” Holt said. “She's an extraordinarily hard worker. She's super f---ing nice to everybody, and people hate her. She's just the biggest pop star on Earth and more power to her. Taylor writes everything. And so, I give her credit. She's a songwriter.” But when the conversation shifted to Beyoncé, Holt changed his tone considerably. “Beyoncé will put out a song, and there’s 30 f***ing people on it,” Holt said. “How can 30 people write a song, all gathered together? Like you’re not a songwriter, Beyoncé. I think Beyoncé is the most overrated talent on Earth. I think she’s marginally talented." (People)

The shortlist for the U.K.’s coveted Mercury Prize has just been revealed. Leading the 2024 nominations are Charli XCX’s Brat, the Last Dinner Party’s Prelude To Ecstasy, Beth Gibbons’ Lives Outgrown, and Corinne Bailey Rae’s Black Rainbows. The Mercury Prize was first awarded in 1992, and it goes to the best album released by a musical act from the United Kingdom and Ireland. A panel of judges made up of music journalists and broadcasters selects the winner, with the panel chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music, Radio 2 & 6 Music. The rest of this year’s Mercury Prize shortlist is rounded out by Barry Can’t Swim’s When Will We Land?, BERWYN’s Who Am I, Cat Burns’ early twenties, CMAT’s Crazymad, for Me, corto.alto’s Bad with Names, English Teacher’s This Could Be Texas, Ghetts’ On Purpose, With Purpose, and Nia Archives’ Silence Is Loud. (Billboard)

A documentary on Megan Thee Stallion that has been in the works since 2022 is finally about to hit streaming services this fall. Roc Nation and Time Studios partnered together on the forthcoming film two years ago, and according to a new feature in the Hollywood Reporter about Time Studios, the company revealed that the Meg doc, “has been sold to a major streamer for a fall debut.” The documentary is set to be a multi-part film, and is directed by Nneka Onuorah.

Based on the 2022 press release for the project, “The documentary will provide viewers with an intimate perspective into Megan’s life and career. From delving into Megan’s upbringing in Texas to chronicling key milestones in her career, the project will shed light on the many facets of Houston native’s multilayered personality. With a mix of rare archival footage and fresh verité video, the documentary will highlight Megan’s rise from viral freestyling phenom to iconic cultural powerhouse.” (Uproxx)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has partnered with the Coca-Cola Company to share a new musical collaboration for the Olympics, “Hello World,” featuring Gwen Stefani and Anderson .Paak.  The track was written and produced by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, and is set to be the theme song of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The single was revealed in a Olympics-themed music video that is currently being shared on the IOC’s YouTube channel.

“It’s not every day that you’re given the opportunity to write a song in celebration of the Olympic Games, and I am grateful to be part of such an incredible collaboration,” said Tedder. “The Games are an important way for all of us to come together and celebrate each other globally, and we wrote this song with that in mind. I grew up watching every Olympics since childhood so this is a lifelong dream- I hope this song inspires and uplifts. I’m excited to share ‘Hello World’ with all of you.” (Variety)

Before the excitement starts at the upcoming Olympic competitions, rumors are swirling about pop superstars Céline Dion and Lady Gaga potentially dueting together during Friday’s Opening Ceremony in Paris. Reports have circulated that the duo are planning on singing Édith Piaf's French classic, "La Vie en Rose," during the festivities. French journalist Thierry Moreau wrote on X, “Evening news: 🚨 @celinedion and @ladygaga rehearsed “La vie en rose” by Edith Piaf as a duet. Celine Dion will be dressed by Dior with a pink and black feather cape…😉”

Both Gaga and Dion have recently been seen around Paris, with Céline sharing her visit to the Louvre on Instagram, writing “Every time I return to Paris, I remember there’s so much beauty and joy still to experience in the world.  I love Paris, and I’m so happy to be back!” This would mark Dion’s first live performance since she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022. (Billboard)

In a new Rolling Stone cover story feature promoting Friday’s release of Ice Spice’s highly-anticipated debut album, Y2K!, the rapper revealed that Taylor Swift is her “closest celebrity friend.” The duo collaborated on the Grammy-nominated remix of Swift’s Midnights hit, “Karma,” and have remained close ever since. “Taylor f–ks with me,” Ice told Rolling Stone. “She’s so funny. I think our personalities mesh really well.” The rapper bristles at suggestions that Swift only paired up with her to do damage control after her then-boyfriend Matty Healy made racist jokes about Ice. “[It’s] so rude to me, [because] why would she not want to be my friend?” she said.

Swift praised her friend and collaborator, “Seeing Ice lean into the strategic, financial and business aspects of her career is really exciting for me. I knew based on the questions she asked and the observations she made that she didn’t just want to be a passenger in her own career. She wanted to be the driver of it.” (Rolling Stone)

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ 2009 ode to New York City, “Empire State Of Mind,” is now a certified diamond single. The Recording Industry Association of America made the announcement on Wednesday (July 24) that “Empire State of Mind” had just reached 10-times platinum status, thereby reaching diamond certification. The collaborative Big Apple anthem becomes Jay’s second diamond certification, following Watch the Throne‘s “N—as in Paris,” while becoming Keys’ first ever diamond certified song. “Empire State of Mind” was the third single from Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 when it was released in October 2009, and it eventually spent five total weeks as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Empire State of Mind” is the 148th song to become diamond certified, while Jay-Z becomes only the 26th artist to score multiple diamond hits in their career. (Billboard)

Music legends the Pointer Sisters and the Commodores have combined for a total of 20 No. 1 hits, and have sold over 100 million albums between the two groups. Beginning in July, the two beloved soul/R&B groups will share the stage when they launch a brief An Evening With Icons tour. The Pointer Sisters and the Commodores will pair up for a limited run of nine live shows together starting in Wantagh, New York on Thursday, July 25, before winding down on November 30 in Primm, Nevada. The Spinners and El DeBarge will split opening duties on the dates. “I think it’s a good package because of the music,” says William King, the Commodores’ sole remaining founding member. “I always like the female-male combinations. We did it back in the day, and it gives a variety to the people. They want to reminisce and enjoy the past. Let’s go out and have a blast.” (Billboard)

Katy Perry is accustomed to releasing chart-topping hits during her best-selling, 23-year career, amassing 9 No. 1 hits and 14 Top 10 singles over that span. But Perry’s massively hyped new single, “Woman’s World,” failed to achieve those same lofty heights of her previous successful singles, debuting with an unimpressive thud at No. 63 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart, while coming in at No. 65 on the Global 200, and at No. 47 in the U.K. chart. Perry’s new song was also met with relative indifference on streaming services, coming in at No. 110 on Spotify’s U.S.-based chart and No. 58 on the Spotify global chart.

Perry’s fans were upset about Dr. Luke’s involvement on “Woman’s World,” following Kesha’s accusations of sexual misconduct against the producer. The Rosie the Riveter-themed music video for the song was also met with backlash by fans, who felt the clip was exploitative and tailored to the male gaze. (Variety)

Eminem has been presented with a Brit Billion Award by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The distinction recognizes the rapper reaching seven billion U.K. streams, according to calculations by the Official Charts Company. The Brit Billion award was launched back in 2023, and to date 39 artists have been recognized for surpassing one billion U.K. career streams, including Green Day, the Rolling Stones and Billie Eilish. Eminem currently holds the U.K. record for most consecutive No. 1s on the Official Albums Chart, with 10 studio albums topping the list in succession, and his recent single, “Houdini,” just became the Detroit rapper’s 11th U.K. No. 1 song. Over 60 of Eminem’s songs have been BRIT Certified, with 15 of those certified as multi-platinum hits, and his top three streamed hits have amassed over 770 million U.K. streams on their own. (Variety)

Cher is finally planning on spilling all the tea in her upcoming two-part memoir. The first installment, titled simply, Cher: The Memoir, Part One, will be published on November 19 via Dey Street Books. Cher also revealed her striking book cover with an Instagram post. According to a press release, the memoir is broken up into two parts because, "It is a life too immense for only one book." The memoir is written with Cher’s “trademark honesty and humor,” and  "follows her extraordinary beginnings through childhood to meeting and marrying Sonny Bono — and reveals the highly complicated relationship that made them world-famous, but eventually drove them apart."

The memoir presents the music icon as "the daughter, the sister, the wife, the lover, the mother, and the superstar,” while revealing "how this diamond in the rough succeeded with no plan and little confidence to become the trailblazing superstar the world has been unable to ignore for more than half a century." (People)

A rare collection of Michael Jackson‘s signed drawings are set to be auctioned off on August 3. The set of 78 sketches were made using wax pencils, pastels, and watercolors, with all of them being signed by the music superstar. Subjects of the drawings include Jackson himself wearing a Jedi-like robe, as well as sketches of various U.S. presidents, Michelangelo’s David, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, Peter Pan, Walt Disney, and Queen Elizabeth II.

The auction house Kings Auctions is handling the sale, and shared this description of the collection: “Get ready to own some of the most coveted pieces of art by one of the biggest music icons in the world. These one of a kind pieces of art aren’t just an investment, they are your chance to own a piece of music history. He was influenced by many art genres, from classical and architectural to pop art and even formal portraiture. He also had a great fondness for London and British customs.” (Billboard)

Chris Brown and Live Nation have been hit with a $50 million lawsuit by four concertgoers who allege that the singer “brutally and severely beat” them following his performance last Friday (July 19). According to a lawsuit that was filed on Monday in Harris County, Texas, Larry Parker, Joseph Lewis, Charles Bush and Da Marcus Powell allege that Brown and his associates threw chairs at them before kicking and stomping them. The incident apparently occurred after the four music fans were invited backstage at Brown’s show at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, part of his current “11:11” tour. According to the lawsuit, the men claim that Brown both “participated in and directed” the violent assault. “All Plaintiffs are receiving medical treatment and will need further treatment in the future,” alleges the lawsuit. They are all seeking a temporary restraining order from Brown, as well as $50 million. (Page Six)

Kehlani has just revealed her upcoming tour dates for the Crash North American Tour that will take place this fall. The 31-date run begins on September 4 at the Armory in Minneapolis, also hitting major markets in Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles, before the R&B superstar from the Bay Area brings her tour to a close with a hometown show on November 2 at San Francisco’s Chase Center. FLO and Anycia have both been announced as the opening acts for the entire tour. Kehlani revealed her tour announcement with a post on Instagram, which the singer captioned, “CRASH WORLD TOUR NORTH AMERICA Ft @flolikethis & @anyciaaaaaa ONSALE FRIDAY! C U SOON!😛” Kehlani dropped her new album, Crash, back on June 21 via Atlantic Records, with the neo-soul collection reaching No. 25 on the Billboard 200 upon its release. (Billboard)

Snoop Dogg has been confirmed as an Olympic flame torchbearer ahead of the opening ceremony in Paris this Friday (July 26). The rapper will be carrying the torch during the penultimate leg of its journey, where it will traverse through the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis while going past the Stade de France, the new Olympic Aquatics Center, and the Olympic Village. The torch will eventually be placed in Paris’ iconic Tuileries Gardens, where it will remain throughout the duration of the Olympic Games.

In other exciting Olympic news, Celine Dion is rumored to be making her live comeback by performing at the Opening Ceremony. Dion arrived in Paris on Monday at the Royal Monceau hotel near the Champs-Élysées, which is also where Lady Gaga is staying, another rumored potential Opening Ceremony performer. This would mark the Canadian pop legend’s first live performance since being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome back in December of 2022. (Consequence of Sound)

Shaboozey's “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is once again the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following a temporary slide down to No. 2 last week, Shaboozey’s crossover hit retakes the top spot on the charts for the second time, after initially reaching No. 1 two weeks ago for the first time in the singer's career. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is also sitting atop the Hot Country Songs chart for a sixth week.

Elsewhere in the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, moves up a spot to No. 2, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” drops to No. 3 one week after retaking the top slot on the chart, Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” stays put at No. 4, and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” remains at No. 5. With Carpenter’s previous chart-topper, “Please Please Please,” sitting at No. 6, Sabrina now spends a sixth week with multiple songs in the Top 10, the most for any artist this year. (Billboard)

During a recent interview on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM radio show, Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy revealed the lengths they went to in order to secure the use of Madonna’s No. 1 single from 1989, “Like A Prayer,” for their new film. “It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where ‘Like a Prayer’ would be used,” Levy said. “Madonna doesn’t just license the song, particularly that song,” Reynolds added. “It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it… We went over and met with her and and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why.”

Madonna not only allowed them to use the song in Deadpool & Wolverine, but she also shared a note on how the song should be used. “She gave a great note,” Reynolds said without sharing specifics. “She watched it, and I’m not kidding, [she said], ‘You need to do this.’ And damn it, if she wasn’t like spot on.” “It made the sequence better,” Levy added. (Variety)

Ahead of the official start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Friday, July 26, Lady Gaga was just spotted in the City of Light, fueling rumors that the pop superstar is set to perform at the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Gaga was seen in Paris on Monday (July 22), photographed next to her car while waving and blowing kisses to her fans that gathered around her. Gaga was trying to keep a low profile, dressed casually in a baseball cap pulled down low on her head and big sunglasses along with an oversized leather jacket, but her legions of Little Monsters were able to spot her anyway. The Olympics recently shared a teaser video which features a mysterious leather clad figure that could be the 13-time Grammy winner, tightening their belt before wrapping themselves in a cape of the Olympic flag, with the post captioned, “You haven’t seen anything yet. See you on 26 July.” (Billboard) 

Travis Scott revealed details of a standalone show at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on October 9. This news comes alongside the rapper’s announcement of international dates on his Circus Maximus World Tour. Scott is bringing his Circus Maximus production to Latin America, Australia and New Zealand this fall, beginning on September 7 in Santiago, Chile at the Estadio Bicentenario La Florida and wrapping up on October 31 in Auckland, New Zealand at Eden Park.

In an Instagram post announcing his new tour dates, Scott captioned the post in all-caps, “SOUTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA WHAT ARE WE DOING. IVE BEEEN WANTING TO BRING A ACTUAL TOUR THERE FOREVER. NOW LETS GET IT.” Scott’s one-off show in New Jersey will come after his South American dates wrap up, and before the rapper embarks on his Australian and New Zealand shows. Scott is currently in the midst of the Europe/UK leg of his Circus Maximus tour in support of his 2023 Billboard No. 1 album, Utopia. (Variety)