Busta Rhymes was arrested in Brooklyn last week, and charged with assault in the third degree. The 52-year-old rapper was detained after police responded to a 911 call where a 50-year-old male victim claimed he was being harrassed, which included multiple punches from the assailant. According to police reports, the victim had severe swelling on the left side of his face and was transported to the hospital, where he is in stable condition. The New York Post is reporting that Rhymes' victim was apparently his assistant, and the rapper was allegedly berating him for using his cell phone while working. The unnamed victim supposedly declined to provide details of the incident during a discussion with the Post, apparently telling the outlet, "An article in the paper as opposed to a six or seven-million-dollar settlement? I’m not risking it, sorry." (Entertainment Weekly)

According to reporting by The Sun, an unnamed “insider” revealed that the 1975’s new album is possibly titled, God Has Entered My Body, and features a title track containing lyrics that allude to frontman Matty Healy’s public relationship and messy breakup with Taylor Swift. The article shares the possible lyrics, “Keep your head up, princess, your tiara is falling,” which could be Healy referring to Swift. The insider claims, “Matty will never publicly comment on his relationships, but he lets his deepest feelings out in his songs and gets everything off his chest.” Healy hasn’t publicly responded to the claims, but his verified Reddit account reacted to a fan sharing The Sun article in the 1975-subreddit by quipping, "Huge if true.” In a 2021 Instagram post, Healy captioned it, “Keep your head up princess, your tiara is falling 💫🌸👑,” while the singer captioned a studio photo from two months ago, “GHEMB,” which could be an acronym for “God Has Entered My Body.” (Billboard)

On Sunday (January 19), Black Eyed Peas announced via their Instagram story that they are cancelling their entire 2025 Las Vegas residency that was set to begin on February 15. "To our dearest Peabodies,” the band’s statement reads. “It is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned. Stay tuned for updates on future performances by following us — we can't wait to see you again." While the group didn’t elaborate on what specific “current circumstances” caused the cancelled tour dates, the Los Angeles-based band did post a moving statement offering love and support to the victims of the L.A. wildfires on January 11. Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Residency was set to be a series of 15 shows scheduled to take place at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in February, March, and May. (People)

In a new interview with the BBC, Chappell Roan opened up about how she believes her career would be altered if she behaved differently. The 26-year-old multiple Grammy nominee said she has been labeled a “spoiled diva” while being accused of throwing “tantrums” because she continues to speak her mind about negative aspects of the music industry and overzealous fan behavior. "I think, actually, I'd be more successful if I was okay wearing a muzzle," Roan said. "If I were to override more of my basic instincts, I would be way bigger.” Roan applies her late grandfather’s belief that “there are always options” when it comes to her career. "So when someone says, 'Do this concert because you'll never get offered that much money ever again', it's like, who cares?” Roan states. "If I don't feel like doing this right now, there are always options. There is not a scarcity of opportunity.” (People)

During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Kenny Chesney recounted a story about his planned tour with Taylor Swift in her early days that never materialized. The 56-year-old country star said that Swift was set to open for him back when she was a rising 17-year-old country singer, but because the tour was sponsored by a beer company, Swift couldn’t take part because she was a minor. "I had to call Taylor personally and tell her she couldn’t go on tour with me, which now seems absurd, right?" Chesney recalled, saying he felt bad because “she was going to lose some money.” So Chesney personally wrote Swift a check to make up for it. Later that year, both singers were nominated for CMA Entertainer of the Year. "Well, she won," Chesney said. "So backstage I went up to her and gave her a big hug. I said, 'Congratulations but give me my money back.’” (People)

On Friday (January 17), Mac Miller's posthumous album, Balloonerism, was released on what would have been the late rapper’s 33rd birthday. One of Miller’s early collaborators was SZA, who is featured on a track from the new collection  called “DJ’s Chord Organ.” The Grammy-winning R&B superstar took time to reflect back on her creative history with Miller on X on the day Balloonerism dropped. “I love my friend I miss my friend,” SZA wrote. “Grateful he saw something in me before most and treated me w love from day 1 . Wish he could see how right ab everything he truly was . Please go stream Balloonerism RIGHT NOW . 🙏🏾✨🫀”  SZA also retweeted a post sharing a candid photo of her in the studio with Miller, which was captioned, “I’m not crying, you are.” Balloonerism is Miller’s second posthumous album released by his estate, following 2020’s Circles. Miller died from an accidental drug overdose in 2018 at the age of 26. (Billboard)

The Roots' acclaimed major label debut, Do You Want More?!!!??!, was released 30 years ago last week, on January 17, 1995. The Philadelphia rap crew will celebrate their record’s milestone anniversary with an upcoming residency at the Blue Note in New York City. The Roots will perform a series of six shows at the legendary jazz club between March 13 through March 15, with two gigs scheduled per night at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. “So uh…..for the 30th Anniversary of our major label debut…..we are doing SIX early Roots era focused shows,” drummer Questlove wrote on Instagram on Friday (January 17). “Yall better riggety rawl & cop them tix cause uh…..👀” Tickets for the Do You Want More 30th Anniversary Celebration are currently on sale now via Blue Note's official site. Following their Blue Note residency, the Roots are set to perform alongside Lil Wayne at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. (Rolling Stone)

Following last week’s postponement of his album release and cancellation of his scheduled Rose Bowl concert, the Weeknd announced that he has donated $1 million towards three wildfire relief organizations. The 34-year-old music superstar — whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – split his $1 million donation between The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, GoFundMe’s Wildfire Relief Fund, and the LA Regional Food Bank. The charitable contributions were made in partnership with World Food Program USA and the Grammy-winning musician's XO Humanitarian Fund. Due to the L.A. wildfires, the Weeknd recently decided to push back the release of his highly-anticipated new record, Hurry Up Tomorrow, from January 24 to Jan. 31, and cancelled his massive record release celebration at the Rose Bowl on January 25. “This city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time," he wrote. "My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild." (People)

Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos has climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart following its first full week of activity. It becomes the fourth chart-topping album in Bad Bunny’s celebrated career. Debí Tirar Más Fotos previously debuted at No. 2 on last week’s Billboard 200, after being released on an off-cycle Sunday (January 5), but still managed to chart after only five days of activity. Taylor Swift’s Lover: Live From Paris reenters the chart at No. 2, following its reissue on vinyl and first digital download release, becoming the highest charting live album in over five years. Elsewhere in the Billboard 200 Top 10, SZA’s SOS remains at No. 3, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX holds at No. 4, last week’s leader Lil Baby’s WHAM drops four places to No. 5, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet falls a spot to No. 6, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft stays at No. 7,  the Wicked film soundtrack drops two places to No. 8, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time slips a spot to No. 9, and Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us falls one slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

The lineup for the upcoming FireAid benefit concert has just been revealed, topped by music superstars Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and a special No Doubt reunion. The January 30 fundraiser for Los Angeles area fire victims will take place at L.A.’s Intuit Dome, but the amount of artists committing to take part in the benefit show has required the event to expand to also include performances at Inglewood’s Kia Forum. Additional artists appearing at FireAid include Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry, Jelly Roll, Pink, Joni Mitchell, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Tate McRae, Rod Stewart, and the debut live collaboration between Dave Matthews and John Mayer. Event organizers, which include Live Nation, AEG Presents, and the Azoff Company, promise “additional artists to be announced shortly.” FireAid will start at 6 p.m. PT, with tickets on sale at noon PT on January 22. The event will be broadcast simultaneously by iHeartRadio, Apple Music, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Max, SiriusXM, SoundCloud, and YouTube, along with select AMC Theatres, with viewers able to submit donations throughout the event. (Rolling Stone)

Malibu’s celebrated Shangri-La recording studio miraculously survived the Palisades fire that recently decimated much of that area. The space is now owned by legendary producer Rick Rubin, but the studio was originally built in the mid-70s under the creative guidance of the Band and Bob Dylan. The Band’s 1975 record, Northern Lights – Southern Cross, was the first album to be recorded at Shangri-La’s renovated studio, with Eric Clapton’s No Reason To Cry soon following, along with classic albums from Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby Stills and Nash, Jackson Browne, Mark Knopfler, and Keith Richards. Since Rubin took over the studio, legendary artists like Adele, U2, Pearl Jam, Lady Gaga, Metallica, Eminem, Harry Styles, and many others have recorded there. In 2019, the iconic studio was the subject of a four-part Showtime documentary series titled, Shangri-La. While over 200 musicians and producers throughout the Los Angeles area have sadly lost everything in the recent fires, Shangri-La has thankfully survived so a new generation of artists can record there. (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Eminem fans have recently discovered a handful of unreleased tracks from the Detroit rapper that have since gone viral on social media. The songs were apparently leaked from Em’s vault,  including never before heard tracks with longtime collaborators 50 Cent and Dr. Dre, and apparently an alleged Suge Knight and Ja Rule diss track that dates back to 2003. “These leaked songs were studio efforts never meant for public consumption … demos, experiments and ideas that are dated and not relevant so many years later,” said Eminem’s longtime spokesperson Dennis Dennehy. “The latest in a line of unfinished material released against artists’ will and without their permission.” The number of leaked tracks has now reached around 30, with additional songs surfacing that feature Em’s unreleased collaborations with Slaughterhouse, Anderson .Paak and the late Nate Dogg. Eminem has yet to personally respond to the recent leaks. (Billboard)

Liam Payne’s friend Roger Nores, who was with the former One Direction star on the night of his tragic death,  is suing the late singer’s father, Geoff Payne, for defamation. The 263-page federal lawsuit was filed in Florida on Wednesday (January 15), with Nores alleging that Geoff made “false, misleading” statements about him in sworn declarations to an Argentina prosecutor investigating Liam’s death. Nores is seeking damages of over $10 million, and pledges that all “net financial proceeds of the judicial proceedings for the benefit of Liam Payne’s son,” Bear. “Geoff needs to backtrack on his [sworn] statement as he very well knows I wasn’t Liam’s nurse or caretaker,” Nores told Rolling Stone. “Liam, who I miss every day, was my dear friend and an independent, brilliant, respectful free man who did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.” Nores faces wrongful death charges affiliated with Payne’s fall from his 3rd story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. (Rolling Stone)

A$AP Rocky’s criminal gun-assault trial is on track to begin next week in Los Angeles. The charges stem from an alleged incident where Rocky apparently fired shots at his former friend A$AP Relli on a Hollywood, California, street three years ago. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark S. Arnold said jury selection is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, will appear in person each day, with prosecutors planning to make a new plea-deal offer to Mayers before the trial gets underway. Joseph Tacopina, the attorney for the Grammy-nominated rapper, said the offer would be a pointless endeavor. “From our side, we have no interest in a settlement,” Tacopina told the court. “He’s eager to tell his story. He would love the opportunity to do so,” Tacopina told Rolling Stone. The 36-year-old Mayers has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and if convicted, he faces up to 24 years in prison. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (January 15), Justin Bieber shared a brief 24-second video clip featuring what appeared to be a new song on his Instagram Story. It has been over two years since Bieber has released any new music, so even a snippet of potential new material has fans excited that more music is possibly on the way. The clip features Bieber in a hoodie and sunglasses, singing along to a rough demo of a song that includes a spare acoustic guitar strain underneath lyrics that definitely claim, “I’m shakin’ off the hate.” In Bieber’s other stories, he is shown vibing with other hit songs of the moment, including Gunna’s “Got Damn," Sleepy Hallow’s “Call Me,” and Playboi Carti’s “Cancun,” which soundtracks a clip capturing nature footage from the Grammy-winning singer’s recent holiday in Aspen, Colorado with wife Hailey and their infant son, Jack Blues. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift pledged her support for the victims of the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires in a handwritten note on her Instagram story on Thursday (January 16). “The fires in California have devastated so many families, and it’s been heartbreaking to see these stories unfold,” Swift wrote. “So much suffering, loss and destruction.” The 35-year-old pop superstar went on to share a list of relief organizations supporting those in need in the L.A. area, while also voicing words of compassion to those who have lost everything in the recent fires. “As so many people embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organizations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild,” Swift added. “These are the organizations I’ve donated to. If you feel compelled or able to donate, please do.” Her list of organizations includes Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, MusiCares, and many more. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (January 15), the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival revealed its stacked 2025 lineup. The celebrated music festival will feature high-profile headlining sets from Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, hometown rap superstar Lil Wayne performing with The Roots, Lenny Kravitz, Kacey Musgraves, John Fogerty, Luke Combs, Santana, and Burna Boy. New Orleans Jazz Fest 2025 is set to take place over eight days this spring – from April 24th-27th and May 1st-4th – at the Fair Grounds Race Course in the Big Easy. The rest of the lineup includes notable acts like HAIM, Cage the Elephant, My Morning Jacket, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Kamasi Washington, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Harry Connick Jr., Margo Price, Irma Thomas, Branford Marsalis, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Morris Day & the Time, James Bay, Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, and many more. Tickets to both weekends of the festival are on sale now. (Consequence of Sound)

On Wednesday (January 15), the Recording Academy announced significant changes to its annual Grammy Week festivities. The Academy canceled most industry events leading up to the awards show on Sunday, February 2, while shifting the focus of the remaining events towards raising relief efforts for the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. “We understand how devastating this past week has been on this city and its people,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement. “This is our home, it’s home to thousands of music professionals, and many of us have been negatively impacted. Grammy Week 2025 will not just be about honoring music, it will be about using the power of music to help rebuild, uplift and support those in need.” The Academy confirmed that the MusiCares Person of the Year Charity Gala honoring the Grateful Dead will take place as scheduled, with MusiCares already raising $2 million in wildfire relief funds. Clive Davis’ annual Pre-Grammys Gala will also now be a fundraising event. (Rolling Stone)

The music data tracking company Luminate announced on Wednesday (January 15) that Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department was the most popular album of 2024 in the U.S. This marks the third time in Swift’s career that she has topped Luminate’s year-end list, after previously claiming the top album in 2014 with 1989 and in 2009 with Fearless. Luminate also shared that the most-streamed song by on-demand audio streams was Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” while the most-heard song on the radio was Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.” Luminate’s year-end figures also revealed that total music consumption in the U.S. – measured by audio equivalent album units – increased by 5.6% in 2024.

The Top 10 Albums of 2024 in the U.S.(by total equivalent album units) is rounded out by Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time at No. 2, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet at No. 3, SZA’s SOS at No. 4, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft at No. 5, Noah Kahan’s Stick Season at No. 6, Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess at No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album at No. 8, Zach Bryan’s  Zach Bryan at No. 9, and Future & Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You at No. 10. (Billboard)

An upcoming benefit show called L.A. Gives Back: Fire Relief was announced on Wednesday (January 15), supporting the ongoing relief efforts in the Los Angeles area. The benefit show is scheduled to take place on January 29 at The Bellwether, a 1,600-capacity independent music venue in downtown Los Angeles. The event – whose lineup will be announced in the coming weeks – is being organized by IHEARTCOMIX, Brownies & Lemonade, Another Planet Entertainment (which owns The Bellwether), and Teragram. All funds raised from the event will go towards charities supporting victims of the fire, along with first responders and animals.

“The devastation Los Angeles has endured the past week from these wildfires made it clear we had to do something,” said Brownies & Lemonade, a company who organizes electronic dance events in the area. “L.A. Gives Back has been our longstanding event series focused on providing aid to our city and we’re so happy to bring it back for this crucial moment to provide wildfire relief for our city.” (Billboard) 

On Tuesday (January 14), Céline Dion took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late husband René Angélil on the ninth anniversary of his death. The Canadian singer shared a Christmastime photograph of herself surrounded by their three sons, while she affectionately remembered Angélil, who died of throat cancer in 2016 at the age of 73. “René, we can’t believe you’ve been gone nine years already,” Dion wrote. “Not a day goes by that we don’t feel your presence, RC, Eddy, Nelson and I. You were my greatest champion, my partner, and the one who always saw the best in me. I honor you and you are forever missed mon amour…. We love you.” Dion retreated from the public spotlight in recent years following her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome in 2022, but she delivered a triumphant performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony last summer, singing Édith Piaf’s “The Hymn to Love” from the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (January 15), Drake sued Universal Music Group over their role in releasing and publicizing Kendrick Lamar‘s diss track “Not Like Us.” The Canadian rap superstar filed a defamation and harassment lawsuit against UMG – the record company behind both rappers – claiming in an 81-page complaint that the media conglomerate “unleashed every weapon in its arsenal” in their publicity campaign to turn Kendrick’s diss-track of Drake into a “viral hit.” The suit claims the song was “intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile.” Drake makes clear that he is not suing Lamar over his song, noting that the lawsuit “is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us,’” and that his legal action is “entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood were not only false, but dangerous.” (Rolling Stone)

The Governors Ball announced their festival lineup on Tuesday (January 14), which features headlining sets from Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier over the course of the three-day music fest in New York this summer. Governors Ball 2025 is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Tyler, the Creator leads Friday’s lineup, joined by Benson Boone, Mk.gee, T-Pain, Tyla, Role Model, the Backseat Lovers, JPegMafia and more. Rodrigo gets top billing on Saturday, where she will be joined by Feid, Conan Gray, Young Miko, Wallows, Marina, Mariah the Scientist, Car Seat Headrest, Artemas, and more. Hozier leads the Sunday lineup, alongside Mt. Joy, Clairo, Raye, Royel Otis, The Japanese House, Amaarae, and more. Ticket pre-sale starts at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday (January 16), with general on-sale starting at 11 a.m. that day. (Billboard) 

Doja Cat announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that she has teamed up with the American Red Cross to design a line of merchandise benefiting the charity’s fire relief efforts in L.A. The music superstar was born and raised in the L.A. area, and is doing her part to provide support for those affected by the devastating fires throughout the region. “Please help me and @americanredcross support my beautiful state of California,” Doja Cat wrote, alongside a post featuring t-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with her designs. “I teamed up with artist @pini and designed a small collection of hoodies and tees on sale now - 100% of proceeds go to American Red Cross to support the people of California affected by the wildfires.” The artist Pini wrote on Instagram, “LA has been my home for the last ten years, to see the destruction of these fires over the last couple of days has been devastating.” (Billboard) 

Janet Jackson has announced that she will be extending her Las Vegas residency by adding six more shows to her stay at Resorts World Theatre. After Jackson’s previous residency debuted with a sold-out run over New Year’s week at the end of 2024, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas will return with six additional shows in the spring of 2025. The 5-time Grammy winning singer will once again be performing at Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas during her newly announced residency dates on May 21, 24, 25, 28, 30, and 31. These shows join Jackson’s previously announced 2025 Vegas residency dates on February 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, and 15.

“There’s no better way to kick off the new year than with the return of Janet Jackson in her exclusive residency at the award-winning Resorts World Theatre,” commented Bobby Reynolds, senior vp of AEG Presents Las Vegas. “We look forward to having her showcase her unparalleled talents in a total of 12 more performances through this May.” (Billboard)