Music

Vikingur Olafsson and Yuja Wang appeared at Carnegie Hall with a unified approach to works by Schubert, John Adams, Rachmaninoff and more.

Her haunting song “Goodbye Horses” had a star turn in “The Silence of the Lambs,” but the enigmatic artist behind it seemingly vanished for decades after.

On Popcast, a survey of the biggest and best albums released recently, including Drake with PartyNextDoor, the Weeknd, Central Cee, Oklou and others.

Our critics choose highlights from a lineup that includes six new productions and modern works by Mason Bates, Kaija Saariaho and Gabriela Lena Frank.

The music mogul’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss a sex-trafficking charge, saying that the law involved has “racist origins.”

Todd Almond wrote an oral history on Conor McPherson’s “Girl From the North Country” and its passage through Broadway’s pandemic shutdown.

For the arts institution, which receives only a small portion of its budget from federal funding, the perennial challenge is to raise additional revenue through ticket sales and private donations.

The rapper had faced two felony counts of assault with a firearm in connection with a 2021 altercation in Los Angeles.

Hear songs from Lucy Sante’s “I Heard Her Call My Name” by ESG Public Image Ltd., the Floaters and more.

A letter signed by 463 playwrights, poets, dancers, visual artists and others pushes back against new grant requirements that bar the promotion of diversity or “gender ideology.”

One of the busiest stage directors in Europe is fully arriving, at last, with “The Threepenny Opera” this spring.

A playlist of recent tracks by women singer-songwriters, from Jazmine Sullivan to Raye, who are changing the music industry.

“Let Me Be Your Star,” which evokes an actor’s longing to shine, has come a long way from its TV days. Here’s how the song evolved on its way to the stage.

A group of young singer-songwriters have transformed the genre by looking backward, without getting stuck in the past.

In unflinching ballads that spoke of the pain men can cause women, the Mexican singer often relied on what she learned in her own relationships.

Onstage, Denzel Washington is Othello, and Paul Mescal is Stanley Kowalski as stars illuminate the theater marquees. Plus: FKA twigs takes “Eusexua” on tour. Bang on a Can, Twyla Tharp, and much more.

A concert performance of “Vanessa” freshly argued for the vitality of a work that deserves to be staged but languishes with its midcentury peers.

The nonprofit venue’s artistic director has long booked and guided artists from her gut.

The Tony-winning actress co-stars with Bernadette Peters in “Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends,” a show that is letting her surprise audiences with her comedy chops.

Known for her interpretations of Bach, Mozart and Weber, she was praised for her clear, bright voice and her perfect intonation even on the highest notes.

The anonymous plaintiff’s account was attacked as inconsistent after an NBC report called details from her account into question.

It’s still called the Kennedy Center. But after President Trump’s takeover, drag performers protested outside while audience members inside worried about what might be in store.

He and his wife, Vy Higginsen, poured all they had into “Mama, I Want to Sing,” a long-shot musical that became an enduring staple of Black theater.

Hear Dolly Parton duet with the young star and tracks from Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, plus Drake and PartyNextDoor.

Hear tracks from Laufey, the Replacements and Fiona Apple that share a title but vary in tone.

Some of the most memorable moments in the orchestra’s program this week, led by Karina Canellakis, were extremely soft.

The Valentine’s Day release, a collaboration with PartyNextDoor, tries on different styles (acoustic pop, traditional Mexican) while only alluding to Kendrick Lamar.

Music Charts, News, Photos & Video

It's the North Carlolina native's first offering of 2025.

J. Cole shared his first offering of 2025 and there could be plenty more in the arsenal down the line. Via his Inevitable blog, the Dreamville boss released “Clouds” on Friday (Feb. 21). The dreamy tune, produced by DZL and Omen, finds Cole referencing the Donald Trump assassination attempt at a Phildelphia rally in June. “I’m that bass in your trunk, the bullet that missed Trump/ The gun that jammed ’cause it seemed God had other plans,” he raps on the second verse. In a blog post, Cole provided some context on the track, which he cooked up a few days ago and lent a title to just minutes before sharing it with the world. “Just wanted to share,” he wrote. “Made this a few days ago, then i added a second verse and was like “man I got a blog now, I can put whatever I want up there.” I didn’t have a title 20 minutes ago when I decided to really put this up. But now I got one… “cLOUDs”. – produced by DZL, Omen, and small contributions from me.” Earlier this week, Cole shared a blog post promising he’d be more consistent with keeping fans in the loop with what should be a busy year for the Dreamville faithful. “I knowwww mannnn. I’m off to a bad start with the consistency, but I’ma do better! Watch,” he wrote. “I been locked in on the music while also balancing family life. It’s a juggling act that a blog post wouldn’t do justice in explaining. But with that said, I’m back tending to this garden. Cole continued to add: “I think I’m gonna let some other people post on here too, to get the vibes up. It’ll motivate me to check every day, and will fuel the desire to post more. I’ma start with Ib and Scott and then expand from there. To anybody in the squad reading, if you trying to contribute I’m taking applications!” Listen to “Clouds” here.

The song features viral singles "It's ok I'm ok," "Sports Car" and "2 Hands."

Tate McRae‘s new musical era has arrived. The pop star dropped her highly anticipated third studio album, So Close to What, on Friday (Feb. 21). The project features previously released viral singles “It’s ok I’m ok,” “Sports Car” and “2 Hands,” as well as a collaboration with Flo Milli titled “Bloodonmyhands.” Additionally, the album features a collaboration with McRae’s boyfriend, The Kid Laroi, titled “I Know Love.” McRae shared of the romantic team-up in a recent Spotify listening party. “It was a really funny process, because me and Laroi have never really, like, taken each other seriously,” she laughed. “You know when you’re in a relationship and you sing around each other, but you don’t really, like, sing? So it was a little stressful being in the studio singing and writing in front of him, but it was a cool experience to watch him in his process.” Following the release of So Close to What, McRae is kicking off a world tour next month. Kicking off March 18 in Mexico City, the Miss Possessive Tour will find McRae traveling through Europe, Canada and North America through the end of September 2025. It’ll feature special guests Zara Larsson and Benee. So Close to What follows the singer’s 2023 album Think Later. Boosted by hit singles “Greedy” and “Exes,” Think Later bowed at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Stream Tate McRae’s So Close to What in full below.

The song will be featured on JENNIE's upcoming album 'Ruby.'

JENNIE is continuing the roll-out of her debut solo album, Ruby, with another A-list collaboration. The BLACKPINK star teamed up with Grammy winner Doechii for the confident new single, “ExtraL,” which arrived on Friday (Feb. 21). “Do my ladies run this?” the duo proclaim in the hyped-up chorus, as the duo take turns singing the lyrics into the camera in corresponding music video, dressed in matching ivory suits with red shirts underneath. “ExtraL” is one of the many star-studded collaborations on JENNIE’s upcoming album Ruby, set for release on March 7. The project includes team-ups with Childish Gambino, Dua Lipa, FKJ, and Kali Uchis. JENNIE also worked with Dominic Fike on the previously released track, “Love Hangover.” Ruby will feature 15 tracks, including her October 2024 single “Mantra,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200. In a recent interview with Billboard, Jennie reflected on the personal process of creating Ruby. “I intend to complete myself as Jennie Ruby-Jane, for that to be a whole person, in a way,” she shared. “You’ll definitely know what I mean once the album drops, but because I’m playing with a lot of different genres and elements — I’m rapping here, I’m singing here, I’m harmonizing here, I’m talking here … The overall sound was me making sure I like every single [song].” JENNIE continued, “I didn’t want to be forced into putting a song onto my album — that’s what I really fought for. And I was lucky to have all these people believe in me and support me so I could get to a level where we were like, ‘Wow. I think we’re ready.’” Listen to JENNIE’s “ExtraL” featuring Doechii below.

Darrell chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Darrell chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Bad Gyal chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Bad Gyal chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Lenier chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Lenier chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Óscar Maydon chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Óscar Maydon chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Danny Ocean chatted with Billboard’s Leila Cobo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Danny Ocean chatted with Billboard’s Leila Cobo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Camilo chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Camilo chatted with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of Premio Lo Nuestro 2025.

Aguilar and Hanlon delivered "Bala Perdida" enhanced by Yotuel and Darell's performance of their top 10-charting "Repetimos."

Ángela Aguilar and pianist Arthur Hanlon closed Premio Lo Nuestro with a heart-rending performance of their huapango-inspired single, “Bala Perdida.” This collaboration brought a fresh twist to traditional Mexican music, creating a deeply emotive finale for the three-hour broadcast. Hanlon kicked things off with elegant riffs, masterfully playing the grand piano, with his use of the sustain pedal making the piano sound larger than the arena itself. Ángela, donning an elegant one-shoulder dress, wore her hair longer than usual. Later, Cuban star Yotuel, dressed in a Japanese-style samurai outfit, and Puerto Rican artist Darell joined the celebrations to perform their track “Repetimos,” which reached No. 9 on Billboard‘s Tropical Airplay chart. “It’s a beautiful thing because it’s a different genre,” Ángela Aguilar said earlier during a red carpet interview. “It’s a huapango, which is Mexican music, but done in a modern way.” Their performance highlighted the versatility and dynamic range of both artists, seamlessly blending classical elements with modern influences to captivate the audience. “We wrote the song and got together with Ángela,” Hanlon told Billboard at the red carpet. “I’m always looking for magic. And I knew that with this song and with Angela, by placing the piano in the desert, we would create a contrast between the music and the natural environment. That’s how this song was born.” Ángela Aguilar received eight nominations, and won mariachi/ranchera song of the year for “Por El Contrario” with Becky G and Leonardo Aguilar. Broadcasting live on Thursday (Feb. 20) from the Kaseya Center in Miami, the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro ceremony is co-hosted by Laura Pausini, Thalia, and Alejandra Espinoza. Becky G and Carín León lead the list of nominations with 10 nods each. This year, the gala’s theme is “Uniendo Generaciones” (Uniting Generations), honoring the artists, songs, and albums that connect the past, present, and future of Latin music. Check out more highlights from Premio Lo Nuestro 2025 at Billboard.com.