A new study from the global ticketing marketplace viagogo has revealed the highest selling and most in demand Black musicians over the past year. The study analyzed recent ticket sales data, which found that 19 of the 25 highest-selling Black live performers of 2024 are either hip-hop or hip-hop-adjacent acts. Travis Scott tops the list due to his record-breaking Circus Maximus Tour, which earned over $150 million. The top five was rounded out by Usher, Akon, Bryson Tiller, and Ne-Yo, with Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, PartyNextDoor, Childish Gambino, and Nas all placing in the top 25. Minaj landed at No. 8 in the rankings, making her the highest-selling Black female artist of the year due to her Pink Friday 2 World Tour earning over $100 million. Also featured on the list are Janet Jackson (who placed 15th), Doja Cat (19th), and SZA (21st), as well as RAYE (17th) and Mariah Carey (20th). (Consequence of Sound)

On Saturday night (November 24), Adele wrapped up her Weekends With Adele residency in Las Vegas, leaving her future live performance plans in limbo in the process. The 36-year-old singer launched her Vegas residency back in November of 2022, and the 16-time Grammy-winner has created so many wonderful memories for herself and fans alike over the past two years of performances. “I will miss it terribly. I will miss you terribly,” Adele tearfully admitted on stage during the final night of her residency. “I don’t know when I’m going to perform again. I’m not doing anything else, I’m actually sh**ting myself about what I’m actually going to do. I don’t have any f**king plans.” Adele also took a moment to praise Taylor Swift, who is also set to finish up her Eras Tour in Vancouver on December 8. “That’s been a long f**king tour,” Adele said. “Girl needs some rest. She deserves her rest.” (People)

As the first quarter of the 21st Century draws to a close, Billboard counted down the 25 greatest pop stars of the past 25 years as chosen by their staff. On Tuesday (December 3), the publication revealed that Beyoncé topped their list as the greatest pop star of the 21st Century. Billboard said Beyoncé was selected “based on her full 25 years of influence, evolution and impact.” On March 2, 2024, Beyoncé topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the 12th time this century with “Texas Hold ‘Em.” While her second career No. 1 hit came at the start of the century on March 18, 2000, when Destiny’s Child topped the Hot 100 with “Say My Name.” Beyoncé has dominated the charts and the music headlines over the past 25 years, always remaining culturally and commercially relevant while staying a step ahead of her contemporaries and critics. “There are no flop eras for Bey, no periods where she disappeared for a half-decade,” Billboard wrote. “There are only varying degrees of winning for over two decades.” (Billboard)

Beyoncé has now become the most RIAA-certified female artist of all time, with a record-setting 103 certified titles in her back catalog. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) made the historic announcement with an Instagram post on Tuesday (December 17). “We are so excited to recognize the incredible talent, hard work and creative spirit reflected across diverse genres,” RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne said in a statement. “Beyoncé’s iconic catalogue has earned the achievement of most certified titles for a female artist in RIAA’s history. Congratulations on this crowning milestone, Beyoncé.”

Among Beyoncé’s multiple RIAA-certifications are 2x-Platinum status for Renaissance, 4x-Platinum for Lemonade, and 7x Platinum for both Sasha Fierce and Dangerously In Love. Beyoncé has also just achieved her first Diamond-certified singles (for sales of 10 million units) for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “Halo,” while her numerous platinum hits range from 2003’s “Me Myself and I” to 2024’s Grammy-nominated “Texas Hold ‘Em.” (Variety)

On Wednesday (December 4), Spotify revealed its year-end Spotify Wrapped data, which featured its ranking of the most-streamed albums in the world over the past 12 months. According to those figures, the Top Eight most-streamed albums of 2024 were all released by women. Taylor Swift is featured three times in the Top Eight, with The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology topping the list of the most-streamed albums of the year, while 2023’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is at Number Six, and 2019’s Lover reached Number Eight. Billie Eilish‘s Hit Me Hard and Soft came in at Number Two on the most-streamed albums of 2024, while Sabrina Carpenter‘s Short n’ Sweet is third, Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito is Number Four, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine is Number Five. and SZA’s 2022 album SOS landed at Number Seven. Swift was also crowned Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally for the second consecutive year, with the pop superstar racking up 26.6 billion worldwide streams. (Rolling Stone)

Mariah Carey will be performing a pre-recorded rendition of her holiday No. 1 hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” before Netflix’s broadcast of two NFL games on December 25. Carey’s rendition of her modern Christmas classic will air before the day's two holiday games on the streaming service, a 1 p.m. ET matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a 4:30 p.m. ET game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans. Carey and Netflix shared a promotional video to announce the pop superstar’s involvement in the days festivities, with Mimi saying in the clip, “This Christmas, we all get our wish. The NFL is live on Netflix, and I’ll be there too.”

Carey is finishing up her largest ever Christmas tour in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her beloved holiday album, Merry Christmas. That album’s lead single was “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which the RIAA has officially certified as 16-times platinum, making it the highest-certified single ever from a female artist. (Rolling Stone)

Sam Goody, the one time giant record store chain that shaped music, video, and entertainment retail in the late-20th century, is set to close its last two remaining stores in early 2025. Sam Goody was once a staple of malls and shopping centers throughout North America, but their business declined rapidly with the advent of the internet and online streaming. The chain’s last two stores are located in the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and the Rogue Valley Mall in Medford, Oregon, with both now set to close early next year. The local Ohio newspaper, The Times Leader, reported that the manager of the Sam Goody at the Ohio Valley Mall (which first opened in 1980) learned about the store closing shortly after Thanksgiving. “It’s changed over the years, and it [stinks],” said manager Rick Polanski. “We were a $2 million store at one point, but times have changed, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” (Rolling Stone)

Taylor Swift wrapped up her record-setting The Eras Tour with a celebratory, emotional final show in Vancouver on Sunday night (December 8). Fans from all over the world flocked to the city to see the final Eras Tour shows, with officials claiming that up to 70 percent of ticket holders were not from the Vancouver area, including about 40 percent of international travelers. The Eras Tour – which began in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17, 2023 – is the highest grossing concert tour of all time, with an estimated $2.2 billion earned. Merchandise sales alone totaled over $440 million.

Swift performed 149 total shows over the course of 21 months to an estimated 10 million fans, with each of her shows featuring over 40 songs during the 3.5-hour sets. The Eras Tour featured live dates held in five different continents throughout the world during its historic run, with estimates that between tickets, travel, outfits and lodging, the average Swiftie spent $1,300 per show. The Eras Tour movie also set a record for a concert film by bringing in more than $261 million worldwide. (Today)

On Friday (December 20), the UK’s Official Charts Company announced that Wham!'s "Last Christmas" became the first song in chart history to score two consecutive Christmas Number Ones. The beloved 1984 holiday track, released by the pop duo comprised of Andrew Ridgeley and the late George Michael forty years ago, once again claims the coveted UK Christmas No. 1 single as the most-streamed and physically purchased song of the big holiday week. Ridgeley affectionately paid tribute to Michael – who wrote and produced the iconic holiday tune, and sadly died on Christmas Day in 2016 – in an Instagram video where he was presented with a trophy honoring the song’s historic No. 1 achievement. “I’m especially pleased for George,” Ridgeley said. "He would have been utterly delighted, his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic.” (People)

In a new Instagram video promoting the upcoming season of American Idol, country superstar Carrie Underwood reflects on her journey from aspiring contestant to taking over the prestigious judges' chair. Underwood replaces former Idol judge Katy Perry this season, coming back to where her award-winning music career began. In a preview video ahead of the March 9 premiere of American Idol on ABC, Underwood’s 2005 audition for the show is juxtaposed alongside footage capturing the moment the singer stepped into the audition room as a judge for the first time. “Twenty years ago I was standing on a stage just like this one,” Underwood says in the video, as fellow judge Lionel Richie replies, “And now you’re sitting here with us.” “That’s the power of American Idol,” fellow judge Luke Bryan adds, before host Ryan Seacrest chimes in, “So, should we save some lives together?” “Let’s do this,” Underwood replies with a smile, culminating her 20-year path from Idol contestant to music superstar and now, Idol judge. (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on the BBC podcast Sidetracked, The Cure’s frontman Robert Smith said he could relate to Chappell Roan’s recent headline-making complaints about obsessive fans who continue to invade her privacy. While Smith has dealt with passionate fans who occasionally have crossed the lines over his 45-year career, he admits that the music world is completely different – and more dangerous – nowadays. “I think what you’re doing as an artist, you want people to feel like they’re engaging with you,” Smith explained. “But it is a modern-world phenomenon that there’s a sense of entitlement that didn’t used to be there amongst fans.” Smith reflected on his own early music fandom and how much things have changed in the social media era. “It was enough to see Alex Harvey or to see David Bowie," Smith reflects. "I didn’t expect to hang out with them or get to know them, whereas now it seems almost like that is part of the deal.” (Variety)

Prince, the Clash, Frankie Beverely, Taj Mahal, and Frankie Valli will all be honored by the Recording Academy with Lifetime Achievement Awards during a ceremony the day before the 2025 Grammy Awards. The honors will be presented during the Special Merit Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on February 1, 2025. Prince previously earned a total of 32 Grammy nominations over the course of his illustrious lifetime, ultimately winning seven Grammys, including Best Rock Performance for “Purple Rain” in 1985. The legendary London punk group the Clash only received only one Grammy nomination during their celebrated career, winning Best Long Form Music Video for the 2000 documentary film, The Clash: Westway to the World. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, February 2nd at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Consequence of Sound)

Alfa Anderson, the vocalist in the legendary 1970s disco band Chic, has died at the age of 78. Chic’s founder and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Nile Rodgers shared the sad news on Instagram last week in a touching video tribute to Anderson featuring a series of photographs of the group throughout their celebrated career. “RIP Alfa Anderson. CHIC Organization. Forever loved ❤️🙏🏽,” Rodgers affectionately wrote in his caption. No cause of death has been publicly shared. Anderson was was introduced to Rodgers by Luther Vandross in 1977, and soon joined the newly formed Chic. Anderson would go on to sing on the group’s biggest hits like “Everybody Dance,” “Dance Dance Dance,” “Good Times,” and the 1978 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Le Freak,” which was the “biggest-selling single in Atlantic Records history” for more than 30 years, and was eventually inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. (People) 

On Friday (December 20), the Recording Academy awarded Charli XCX and Post Malone with additional nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Charli and Posty were both given Best Recording Package nominations in recognition of their art direction contributions to their respective albums, Brat and F-1 Trillion. Both albums had already been nominated in the category, but neither artist were included among the original nominees list when the Grammys were first announced. Charli and Malone will be up against Kate Bush in the category, with the English icon receiving her first Grammy nomination in nearly 30 years for serving as art director on Hounds of Love the Baskerville Edition. The additional nod increases Charli’s 2025 Grammy nominations to eight, including Album of the Year for Brat and Record of the Year for “360.” Malone’s total Grammy count jumps to seven, including Best Country Album for F-1 Trillion and Song of the Year for his Taylor Swift collaboration, “Fortnight.” (Rolling Stone)

Stray Kids new record, HOP, debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart. HOP is the sixth consecutive chart-topping album for the K-pop sensations, making Stray Kids the first act to debut at No. 1 with its first six entries in the 69-year history of the Billboard 200 chart. Elsewhere in the Billboard 200 Top 10, Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas reaches the Top 10 for a seventh consecutive holiday season, as the beloved 1994 album jumps four places to No. 10.

The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Kendrick Lamar’s GNX staying put at No. 2, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department drops two spots to No. 3, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet moves up a slot to No. 4, Michael Bublé’s Christmas jumps up two places to No. 5, Bing Crosby’s Ultimate Christmas moves up two spots to No. 6, the Wicked film soundtrack slides down a slot to No. 7, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft moves up a slot to No. 8, and Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess climbs two slots to No. 9. (Billboard)

On Saturday (December 21), Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City shared an adorable thank you video to Taylor Swift, following the pop superstar’s generous $250,000 donation to the children’s educational center. Swift’s boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs football star Travis Kelce, has also previously supported Operation Breakthrough over the years. “Thank you, Taylor, for making our wildest dreams come true,” one girl said in the video, referencing Swift’s 4x-platinum 1989 single, “Wildest Dreams.” The educational center shared their appreciation to Swift in the caption of their post: “✨ Thank you, @taylorswift13, for making our holiday season shine even brighter! Your kindness and thoughtful 250K donation means the world to our children and families.” Due to the donations of Kelce, Swift, and others, Operation Breakthrough was able to serve 400 students over the past year, and opened up 10 new labs while teaching nearly two dozen industry skills to their students. (People)

To celebrate his 1973 Christmas hit single, “Step Into Christmas,” Sir Elton John enlisted actress/model Cara Delevingne for a playful reworking of the original music video that was released on Wednesday (December 18). Delevingne completely transformed herself into a slick 70s version of Elton for the new video, which even features her singing alongside archival footage of the music legend at one point. Elton was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Delevingne on this project. "I saw Cara at Glastonbury last summer, and we talked about how much we’d love to work together if the right idea came up," John said in a statement. "She’s hilarious to spend time with; we both have quite a self-deprecating sense of humor.” Delevingne says Elton is “an idol of hers,” while adding: "To be asked by him to PLAY him in this recreation was a dream that I didn’t know I had until it happened. Honestly, I wish I could pretend to be Elton every day.” (People)

Dave Grohl’s eldest daughter, Violet Grohl, is planning on releasing her debut album sometime soon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 18-year-old singer has been “incredibly committed” to working on her music and “to growing as an artist.” Violet has been collaborating with producer Justin Raisen on the project, who previously worked with Kim Gordon on her Grammy-nominated album The Collective, in addition to past projects with Charli XCX, Lil Yachty, and Sky Ferreira. Violet is apparently writing and recording material in the studio space she received as a birthday gift from her father. Back in 2018, a then 12-year-old Violet made her live debut alongside her dad at a benefit concert, and went on to tour as a backing vocalist for the Foo Fighters in recent years. “She’s a true torch singer,” says one source. “Her vocals are tremendous. She’s very talented.” (Consequence of Sound)

On Wednesday (December 17), GloRilla returned home to Memphis to visit her alma mater, Melrose High School, where the hip-hop superstar surprised students and faculty members by presenting the school with a $25,000 check. The funds will go towards educational resources for the school, including substantially upgrading the library center. The library will now be named The Gloria H. Woods Media Center in Glo’s honor. “I always wished somebody could do that when I was younger,” GloRilla said to a local TV network. “So the fact that I have the ability to do it now, it warms my heart.” Melrose High School Principal Kristopher Davis said Glo’s generous donation will help the school “upgrade our system so students can be more interactive, so they can research and take their learning to the next level.” (Billboard)

During his Spotify's Billions Club Live performance in Los Angeles on Tuesday (December 17), the Weeknd delivered a career-spanning, hits-filled set for his “OG XO” fans while also sharing what 2025 holds for the chart-topping musician. “2024 is almost done, but 2025 we've got some new s**t coming up,” the Weeknd announced from the stage to the 2,000 lucky audience members who packed the intimate venue. “New album, new tour, new movie, new everything — we're shutting this s**t down." The announcement of a forthcoming tour was a revelation, since the only official live performance the Weeknd has scheduled in 2025 is his massive one-night-only show at the Rose Bowl on January 25, the day after his new record, Hurry Up Tomorrow, drops. The Weeknd finished the set with his new collaboration with Anitta, “São Paulo,” and told the crowd, "I'll see you in 2025, it's going to be a big year." (People)

During a new interview with the L.A. Times, Lady Gaga provided additional insight into her hotly-anticipated new studio album, which she and her fans have taken to calling LG7. While the recently-released lead single, “Disease,” was the first official taste of Gaga’s new sound, she shared that the true start to her current era dates back to her summer collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile.” Gaga said the Grammy-nominated Song of the Year represents a “huge part of my album,” which is expected to arrive in February. “The record is full of my love of music — so many different genres, so many different styles, so many different dreams,” Gaga shared. “It leaps around genre in a way that’s almost corrupt. And it ends with love. That’s the answer to all the chaos in my life is that I find peace with love.” (Rolling Stone)

During an appearance on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast on Thursday (December 19), Lizzo addressed the sexual and racial harassment lawsuits that she faces from three of her ex-dancers. The 36-year-old Grammy-winning musician said she was "completely surprised" by the complaints, and that she "needed time to process" before she broke her silence and spoke out about the situation. "I was literally living in my dream, and then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers just completely, like, blindsided me with a lawsuit," Lizzo said. "I was very deeply hurt because these were three ex-dancers, these were people that I gave opportunities to.” Lizzo says many of the claims are “silly” while saying she has “no regrets” about how she handled things, emphatically stating, "Let's be clear, I did nothing wrong.” (People)

Saturday Night Live is currently celebrating its 50th season and has some special events scheduled in early 2025 in recognition of the big anniversary. NBC announced on Thursday (December 19) that Questlove is directing an upcoming three-hour documentary highlighting the musical guests and song-filled sketches featured on the show over the years titled, Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music. It will premiere on NBC on January 27 at 8 p.m. ET, and stream the next day on Peacock. According to the network, the special will “feature untold stories behind the culture-defining, groundbreaking and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.”

“Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of a huge iceberg,” Questlove said in a statement. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.” (Billboard) 

A new documentary on the late DJ-producer Avicii is set to premiere on Netflix on December 31. Avicii – I’m Tim tells the life story of the musician – born Tim Bergling – in mostly his own words. A new trailer for the music documentary premiered on Wednesday (December 18), which features Bergling himself narrating much of the clip, which is filled with live performances, archival footage of the young Swedish musician, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the personal and professional life of Avicii, who died in 2018. Avicii – I’m Tim also features interviews with collaborators like Aloe Blacc and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

“This is a film where Tim himself is the narrator and he shares his inner self in a way we haven’t heard before,” Netflix says in a synapsis of the 95-minute documentary. “We get to know Tim — the boy behind Avicii — for the first time.” Netflix is also premiering Avicii – My Last Show on December 31, a 30-minute concert film capturing Bergling’s final performance from Ibiza. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (December 17), Pharrell Williams received the honor of being named UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Artistic Education and Entrepreneurship during a ceremony in Paris. Williams’ new role for the United Nations cultural agency involves promoting initiatives dedicated to protecting indigenous cultures, advancing education and health care for women around the world, and raising awareness about genocide prevention while safeguarding cultural heritage. “Growing up in Virginia, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be given an opportunity like this one,” said Williams while accepting the honor.

The 51-year-old musician hopes to use his role to do work that “evens the odds for marginalized communities.” UNESCO general director Audrey Azoulay called Williams a “complete artist [who is] also a humanist who works to put culture at the service of peace and bringing people together. He believes in the power of creativity and education to build a better future.” (Billboard)