Usher has announced that he is joining Audible‘s Words + Music series with The Last Showman, which will featured the music superstar reflecting back on his successful 30 year career in music. The audio program will find the eight-time Grammy winning R&B singer sharing insight into his chart-topping albums, the inspirations behind his hit songs, as well as the setbacks he experienced along the way to music stardom. “With the recent 20th anniversary of Confessions, creating The Last Showman has been an incredible opportunity to reflect on the most pivotal moments of my career with fresh eyes and deep appreciation,” Usher said in a press statement. “This project isn’t just about telling my story; it’s about sharing the raw, unfiltered truth behind the music that’s connected with generations of listeners, as well as the power of vulnerability in art.” Usher’s The Last Showman will premiere exclusively via Audible on February 6. (Billboard)

Bad Bunny shared a tour teaser trailer on Instagram on Monday (January 13) to announce the dates and details of his upcoming residency in his home of Puerto Rico. Benito’s 21-date residency will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, and will get underway on July 11. To ensure locals get priority for the residency, the first nine shows are exclusively available only to residents of Puerto Rico. The residency will take place every weekend – running from Friday to Sunday – between July 11 and August 24, and will feature tracks from Bad Bunny’s Billboard No. 2 charting new album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos – which he calls his “most Puerto Rican album ever” – along with reggaeton hits from his previous seven Top 10 charting albums. Tickets for the “resident only” shows go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time on Jan. 15, while ticket pre-sales for registered fans begins at 10 a.m. AST on January 17. (Variety)

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars hit collaboration “Die With a Smile” spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With the chart-topping success of “Die With a Smile,” Gaga joins Janet and Michael Jackson as the only artists with multiple Hot 100 No. 1s in three different decades, as Gaga now boasts two leaders each in the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s. Following its New Year’s Eve release, Morgan Wallen’s “Smile” jumps from No. 27 to No. 4 in its second week on the Hot 100 chart, becoming the country star’s 12th Top 10 of his record-setting career.

Elsewhere in the Top 10, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” remains at No. 2, Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” sticks at No. 3, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” holds at No. 5, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” drops two places to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” stays at No. 7, Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” drops two places to No. 8, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Wallen, falls a spot to No. 9, and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” slides a slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Sunday (January 12), Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD charity foundation announced that it is donating $2.5 million to the newly-established LA Fire Relief Fund. Beyoncé previously founded BeyGOOD back in 2013 in order to “provide resources worldwide” while assisting people with economic disparities, supporting non-profits in marginalized communities, and providing relief resources and educational scholarships. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the BEYGOOD foundation stated on Instagram. In addition to her charitable donation, Beyoncé is also apparently planning on making an announcement of her own on Tuesday (January 14). The 32-time Grammy winning singer teased a big revelation coming this week in a Christmas day Instagram post, although it’s unclear exactly what she intends to announce, or if she’ll delay her plans due to the L.A. fires. (Rolling Stone)

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. announced on Monday (January 13) that the 2025 Grammy Awards will proceed as planned on February 2. Mason Jr. sent out a letter to Academy members assuring them that the ceremony will take place as scheduled at Crypto.com Arena early next month, even as Los Angeles deals with the devastation due to the ongoing wildfires. Mason Jr. wrote that this year’s Grammys will take place “in close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources.” Mason Jr. pledges that the 2025 Grammys “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.” Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have both announced that they have cancelled their annual Grammy parties, donating their allocated money and resources towards fire relief efforts instead. (Rolling Stone)

On Friday, Julia Michaels and Maren Morris release their new collaborative single, “Scissors,” and the accompanying provactive music video directed by Blythe Thomas. The break-up track captures the end of a relationship, but Michaels and Morris’ creative partnership is still going strong. “Scissors” marks the second time that Michaels and Morris have teamed up, after the pair previously worked together on “Cut,” which was released last June. “It was just a wonderful and silly coincidence when these duets came together,” Michaels says, with Morris adding, “They were separate entities, but it felt like cosmic divinity that the titles mirrored each other.” Both music stars have experienced very public splits in recent years, with Morris filing for divorces from Ryan Hurd in 2023 after five years of marriage, while Michaels split with her boyfriend of four years, JP Saxe, back in 2022. "Not everything ends in heartbreak, but sometimes apathy and a lightheartedness which sorely needs representation in breakup songs!" Morris says. (Rolling Stone)

During a red carpet interview at the Golden Globes, Trent Reznor surprised everyone with his choice for his favorite song of 2024. The industrial music legend was being interviewed by the Los Angeles alternative radio station 98.7 when he revealed that Sabrina Carpenter’s smash hit “Espresso” was his pick for song of the year. Reznor and his longtime collaborator Atticus Ross went on to win a Golden Globe that night for Best Original Score for their work on the Challengers soundtrack, and the duo are on the shortlist for both Best Original Score and Best Original Song at the 2025 Academy Awards. Reznor’s choice of “Espresso” as his song of 2024 continues his recent embrace of pop music. During an appearance on Rick Rubin’s podcast, Tetragrammaton, last summer, Reznor said he was moved to tears while hearing his daughter sing along to Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.” “It really reminded me of the art of writing a well-crafted song,” Reznor said, praising Lipa’s hit tune as “a really well-done piece of music.” (Consequence of Sound)

Lil Baby’s new release, WHAM, debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart. This marks the fourth consecutive chart-topping record from the Atlanta rapper, and his seventh Top 10 album of his career. Another notable release on the current Billboard 200 chart is Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS debuting at No. 2, becoming the international music superstar’s seventh Top 10-charting record. Benito’s album was released on an off-cycle Sunday (January 5), still reaching No. 2 with only five days of activity. This week’s Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS which drops two places to No. 3, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX slides down two spots to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet slips two slots to No. 5, the Wicked film soundtrack falls two places to No. 6, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft drops two spots to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 8, Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us sticks at No. 9, and Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA holds at No. 10. (Billboard)

Legendary Public Enemy emcee Chuck D took to Instagram on Friday (January 10) to voice his displeasure that people were insensitively misusing his band’s volatile 1990 song, “Burn Hollywood Burn” amid the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. Some social media users have been celebrating the city’s destruction by using PE’s protest anthem to soundtrack their posts, and Chuck clearly wasn’t pleased. The rapper clarified that “Burn Hollywood Burn” has roots in the Watts Rebellion and is inspired by the Magnificent Montague’s 1965 statement against inequality. “We made mind revolution songs aimed at a one sided exploitation by a industry. Has nothing to do with families, losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history. Godspeed to those in loss," Chuck wrote. He sympathetically captioned his post, “PRAY 4 LA🙏🏾,” and lashed out at malicious social media users in the comments, writing, “Please don’t use our song on your reels and pictures of this horrifying natural disaster.” (People)

The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” comes in at No. 1 on Billboard’s look back at the hit songs of the first 25 years of the 21st century, ruling Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart. The survey takes into account the collective performances on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024. “Blinding Lights” topped the chart due to a record-setting 57-week run in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 from February 2020 through April 2021, including four weeks at No. 1. “I don’t think [it] has hit me yet,” The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye said about earning the honor. “I just count my blessings, and I’m just grateful.”

The rest of the Top 10 of the Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart is rounded out by (in order): “Uptown Funk!” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Stay” by The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen, “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey. (Billboard)

A benefit concert for Los Angeles fire victims dubbed FIREAID is set to take place on January 30 at L.A.’s Intuit Dome. The event, billed as “an evening of music and solidarity,”  will be organized by the Azoff family alongside booking giants Live Nation and AEG Presents. Ticket information and a music lineup will be announced in the next few days. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go towards an organization created to rebuild Los Angeles infrastructure and provide support to displaced families. Event organizers are hoping to take advantage of the A-list artists who are likely to be in L.A. around that time for the upcoming Grammy Awards, which are scheduled for February 2. The music industry has been hit particularly hard by the fires, with over 100 executives and artists losing their homes, recording studios, instruments, and equipment. (Billboard)

Sam Moore, one half of Stax Records soul duo Sam and Dave, died on Friday (January 10) at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, at the age of 89. Moore’s death was confirmed by his wife and manager, Joyce Moore. The beloved soul icon underwent an unspecified surgery earlier in the week, and died from complications in recovering from the proceedure. Moore – who was born in Miami in 1935 – and his partner Dave Prater formed Stax Records’ most celebrated vocal duo, helping the Memphis label become one of the greatest homes for soul in music history. Sam and Dave are best known for hits like “Soul Man” – which won the Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance in 1968 – and “Hold On! I’m Comin,’” creating a catalog of songs featuring their rich vocals and uplifting harmonies. Labelmate Booker T. Jones, who backed the duo on many of their classics, says of Moore, "I will miss this beautiful set of lungs.” Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to Moore on Instagram, calling him “one of America’s greatest soul voices,” while stating, "There simply isn’t another sound like Sam’s soulful tenor in American music.” (Rolling Stone)

Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album, comes in as Billboard’s No. 1 album of the first 25 years of the 21st century, as the country star’s 2021 sophomore record rules the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart. The list takes into account all performances on the weekly Billboard 200 albums chart from the beginning of 2000 through the end of 2024. Dangerous: The Double Album debuted at No. 1 on January 23, 2021, and remained on top of the charts until March 27, ultimately compiling 158 total weeks in the Top 10. Wallen also placed a second album on the overall chart, as his 2023 record, One Thing At A Time, comes in at No. 6 on the list. Rounding out the Top 10 on the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart, Adele’s 21 is No. 2, Taylor Swift’s Fearless is No. 3 and her 1989 is No. 4, the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton: An American Musical is No. 5, Post Malone’s Hollywood’s Bleeding is No. 7, Lil Baby’s My Turn is No. 8, Nickelback’s All the Right Reasons is the highest charting rock record at No. 9, while Lady Gaga’s The Fame comes in at No. 10. (Billboard) 

Flavor Flav will be performing at Guy Fieri’s third annual Flavortown Tailgate set to take place ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans. Fieri’s free event is planned for February 9 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mardi Gras World, and will feature a headlining performance from Flav, the Public Enemy rapper and beloved public figure who seems to be everywhere at the moment – including playing "Tubby" the Duke's Mayonnaise mascot at a Bowl Game last weekend. Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate will also feature performances from Diplo and Cowboy Mouth, with a variety of food options available for fans to sample throughout the day, including Fieri’s own favorites from his hit show, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, alongside hand-picked local restaurants from the New Orleans area. Registration for the free event begins Thursday at the Flavortown Tailgate official website, with Taste of Flavortown tickets and VIP packages also available for purchase. (Billboard) 

The new Peacock documentary, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, is set to premiere on Tuesday (January 14), and it is filled with shocking and explosive claims from friends and associates of Sean "Diddy" Combs. One of the most alarming revelations in the film is made by Combs' childhood friend Tim Patterson, who claims that Diddy’s mother Janice would throw wild, sex-filled parties at the embattled music mogul's childhood home. “It wouldn't be a thing to mistakenly walk into one of the bedrooms and you got a couple in there, butt naked,” Patterson recalls. “That’s what we were privy to. Was it desensitizing us? I’m sure it was. Were we aware of it? No, that was just Saturday night.” Patterson said that even at a young age, the kids were exposed to alcohol, marijuana, and sex acts at these parties. “On the weekend, [Combs] partied in the house, and we did that a lot,” Patterson claims, saying that the parties were frequently attended by known “drug addicts," "pimps," and "pushers.” (Rolling Stone)

The recent U.K. inquest into Liam Payne’s official cause of death concluded that the former One Direction singer indeed died of “polytrauma” after his fall from a third-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 16. Polytrauma involves having multiple traumatic injuries to a person’s body and organs. The findings of the U.K. inquest’s match those of Argentinian officials, who found in November that Payne’s cause of death was due to “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage” as a result of his fall. Five people have been charged in connection to Payne’s death, including last week’s arrest of Braian Piaz, one of two men accused of supplying the singer with drugs, along with hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra. CasaSur Palermo Hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores are all facing manslaughter charges. (Billboard)

The 55th season of Sesame Street is set to kick off on January 16 on Max, and once-again the beloved children’s program will feature an impressive array of special guests throughout their new episodes. Renee Rapp is set to appear on the season premiere, with fellow music superstars SZA, Noah Kahan, Chris Stapleton, and Samara Joy guest starring on future episodes during the upcoming season. Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Van Ness, and Billie Jean King will also be appearing in Sesame Street skits and educational segments throughout the show’s 55th season, which will focus on emotional well-being and helping children cope with big feelings. “New episodes of Sesame Street will help young viewers understand and express their feelings, learn new mindfulness practices, and as always, have a blast with their favorite furry and funny friends,” said Sal Perez, the show’s executive producer. (Variety)

Ed Sheeran announced on Instagram on Thursday (January 9) that he has just launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation in order to “offer support and advocate for meaningful music education for every child.” Sheeran’s video announcement features the 4-time Grammy-winning singer connecting with young musicians who are learning how to play their instruments and beginning to express themselves creatively. “It was incredible for my mental health as a kid, feeling a sense of purpose and achievement, even just learning piano or cello at a young age way before songwriting,” Sheeran wrote. “I want kids to be able to learn instruments, learn production and songwriting, performing, and have apprenticeship schemes help them learn different skills to enter the industry.” Sheeran, a father of two, was inspired to launch his foundation as a way to counteract the cuts in music education funding. According to the organization, 18 schools and youth programs that serve over 12,000 young people have already benefited from the Ed Sheeran Foundation. (Rolling Stone)

Sabrina Carpenter is nominated for Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards, but the pop superstar is hardly a novice when it comes to the music and entertainment industry. Carpenter was only 15-years-old when she rose to fame on Disney’s Girl Meets World. And at this point in Carpenter’s 10-year music career, the 25-year-old singer has already released six albums, including her chart-topping breakout record, Short n’ Sweet, which is up for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the upcoming Grammys. In all, Carpenter received six Grammy nominations, which she says are “such an honor.” Carpenter is comfortable with how her career has progressed, and playing the long game has clearly paid off for her. “I’ve always been true to myself and believed in my work since I was young,” Carpenter told People in a new interview. “I’ve realized that it’s always been about the small baby steps that you take over time to get you to this point.” (People)

Jay-Z has filed a motion seeking to dismiss the lawsuit against him filed by a woman alleging that the rapper and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her when she was 13 years old at a VMAs after-party back in 2000. Jay-Z, whose given name is Shawn Carter, filed the motion to dismiss on Wednesday, claiming that there are a series of “inconsistencies and outright impossibilities” in Jane Doe’s claims. During the accuser’s recent interview with NBC News in December, she admitted that she had made “some mistakes” in her retelling of her story. Carter’s attorney, Alex Spiro, is also arguing that Jane Doe’s lawyer is accusing Carter of committing “a horrific crime without adequately vetting the allegation.” Jay-Z has filed a defamation case against the accuser’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, claiming that he is “in the pursuit of money and fame,” while the charges are a “blackmail attempt” by Jane Doe. (Variety)