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Plus, Russell Dickerson matches his longest Country Airplay command.

Jason Aldean ties his highest debut on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “How Far Does a Goodbye Go” launches at No. 19 on the Sept. 27-dated survey. The single, co-written by Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy and John Morgan, drew 10 million audience impressions in its first week (Sept. 12-18), according to Luminate. The start was powered in part by first-day spins on participating iHeartRadio stations. Related Jason Aldean’s Full Recorded Catalog Returns to BMG in ‘Landmark’ Deal Cardi B Returns With 'Am I the Drama?' Album Featuring Summer Walker & Janet Jackson: Stream It Now Brett James, Grammy-Award Winning Songwriter, Dies In Plane Crash Michael Knox produced the track, which will appear on Aldean’s 12th studio album, due in 2026. Knox has long been a central part of Aldean’s chart success and ranks among Billboard’s newly-unveiled Top Producers of the 21st Century on the Hot Country Songs Chart. Knox has produced 10 Aldean-recorded No. 1s by that chart’s measure. “How Far Does a Goodbye Go” matches the No. 19 Country Airplay premieres of Aldean’s “Burnin’ It Down” in 2014 and “Take a Little Ride” in 2012. They went on to become two of his 25 career No. 1s. Meanwhile, Aldean’s latest is the fifth song to debut in the top 20 in 2025, the most in a year since eight made such grand entrances in 2019. Dickerson Doubles Up Russell Dickerson spends a second week at No. 1 on Country Airplay with “Happen to Me,” which increased 2% to 32.2 million in audience in the tracking week. Among his five leaders, he equals his longest command, joining “Love You Like I Used To” in 2020 and “Yours” in 2018. “Happen to Me” was written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Chris LaCorte and Chase McGill and hails from Dickerson’s fourth LP, Famous Back Home, which debuted at No. 34 on the Sept. 6-dated Top Country Albums chart. The crossover hit also holds at its No. 21 high on Adult Pop Airplay and rises to No. 38, a new best, on Pop Airplay. All charts dated Sept. 27 will update Tuesday, Sept. 23, on Billboard.com. It’s free Billboard charts month! Through Sept. 30, subscribers to Billboard’s Chart Beat newsletter, emailed each Friday, can unlock access to Billboard’s weekly and historical charts, artist chart histories and all Chart Beat stories simply by visiting the newly redesigned Billboard.com through any story link in the newsletter. Not a Chart Beat subscriber? Sign up for free here.

Nick Cannon and his squad of comedians are back with new episodes streaming every Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Celebrate two decades of laughs, rap battles and unforgettable celebrity cameos for the 20th anniversary of Wild ‘N Out. Known for its signature comedic format and hilarious improv, Nick Cannon and his squad of comedians are back for a 21st season with 20 brand-new episodes, which already kicked off on Sept. 1. With Philo, fans can stream new episodes airing every Monday at 8 p.m. ET as well as catch up on previous seasons. sign up for philo here Taped in front of a live audience in Atlanta, this new season reignites the classic old-school vs. new-school competition, blending comedic legends and rising stars in a celebration of wild, unfiltered fun. Back at the helm is the show’s creator and star Nick Cannon, who will be joined by fan-favorite veterans, including: DJ D-Wrek, DC Young Fly, Justina Valentine, Conceited, Emmanuel Hudson, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean and B. Simone. There’s also a variety of new faces stepping up to the Wild N Out stage like Vinny Guadagnino, Mojobrooks, Frak and Joey Dardano. As always, this new batch of episodes will also feature many celebrity guests and music artists, including Jim Jones, Dru Hill, Fabolous, and Bobby Shmurda. If you’re looking for a good laugh, keep scrolling to learn how you can stream the 20th Anniversary season of Wild ‘N Out on Philo. How to Watch Wild ‘N Out on Philo Among the sea of streaming services, Philo is a hidden gem thanks to its selection of movies, TV shows, live channels and wide range of features that you can access for free. The platform offers a 7-day free trial for new users granting them access to 70 channels, including MTV, A&E, Lifetime, OWN, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., HGTV, TLC, BET, FYI, WE tv, Logo and Discovery Channel. When the trial period is over, the service will cost $28 per month. Get philo 7-Day Free Trial here There’s also a free tier streaming option that includes 110 channels, such as AMC Thrillers, beIN Sports Xtra, Cheddar News, Design Network, Ebony TV, Game Show Central, HSN, IFC Films Picks, Kin, LOL!, QVC, Screambox TV and many others. If that wasn’t enough, a Philo subscription also includes a free unlimited DVR to record movies, TV shows and live channels for up to 30 days — even for the streamers free channel users. This is a bonus that most free streaming services don’t offer. sign up for philo here

Spotify’s soft advertising growth is also a factor behind a slowdown in free streaming royalties in the first half of 2025. 

Spotify’s decision earlier this week to improve its free, ad-supported tier wasn’t an unexpected move. In July, CEO Daniel Ek said he was “unhappy” with the company’s advertising business, and executives laid out their efforts to turn it around. Some changes would be technical, such as giving brands the ability to buy programmatic ads through platforms such as The Trade Desk. The move to allow free streamers to choose their songs rather than listen on shuffle mode was more straightforward. The problem with free, ad-supported music isn’t confined to Spotify, though. Around the world, streaming revenue from audio and video supported by advertising fell sharply in the first half of the year. In the U.S., free streaming — both audio and video — from on-demand and social platforms fell 2.9% to $875 million, worse than the 1.8% decline in all of 2024. In contrast, paid subscriptions rose 6.3% to $2.89 billion through June 30, better than the 5.3% gain in 2024. Related TikTok Drives Views, Not Fans — YouTube and Streaming Still Dominate Music Discovery Suspect Arrested in Theft of Beyoncé's Unreleased Music Coachella Lineup in September? Why the Festival Is Going on Sale So Early in 2026 Numerous people who spoke to Billboard pointed to video, particularly short-form video, as the culprit behind the decline in ad-supported streaming. Although these executives lacked a smoking gun, there is some evidence that TikTok and other short-form video platforms are taking attention away from better monetized streams of music videos. A new report by MIDiA Research highlighted how popular short-form and social media apps can exist in a parallel world to music streaming platforms that provide the bulk of record labels’ revenues. Views on TikTok and YouTube Shorts don’t convert well to streams at better-paying platforms like Spotify. That conversion “funnel,” as MIDiA calls it, is especially weak for young consumers. TikTok is particularly adept at keeping consumers’ attention, according to MIDiA’s report. People frequently discover artists on TikTok, but they’re more likely to follow the artist on TikTok than they are to listen to more of the artist’s music elsewhere. Indeed, the report found that TikTok is worse than other social platforms at converting attention to streams outside its ecosystem. The result is a warning for record labels that pour resources into marketing: According to MIDiA, today’s 16-to-24-year-olds are less likely than 25-to-34-year-olds to have discovered an artist whom they love in the last year. The cause for the drop in free streams is not so clear-cut, however, and MIDiA’s findings don’t always jibe with a previous report. In February, a Luminate report commissioned by TikTok concluded that TikTok was “a key driver” of music discovery, monetization and chart success” in the U.S. TikTok users, according to the report, are more likely to be superfans who pay for music subscriptions — that doesn’t impact the question about free streaming — and have used TikTok’s “Add Music to App” feature to save more than one billion tracks to streaming services. Related Streaming Superfan Products Have Been Discussed for Years. So Where Are They? Nonetheless, a report released last week by SNEP, France’s recorded music association, echoed the MIDiA study by indicating that a poor conversion rate from social media to long-form video platforms was having real consequences on revenues. The report explained a 6.8% decline in midyear ad-supported video streaming revenues by citing video’s “transformation” and the popularity of short-form videos, primarily at social media apps. Ad-supported audio streaming fared better, rising 2% from the prior-year period. Any decline in video streaming revenue creates questions about YouTube, the world’s most popular streaming platform. YouTube generated $36.1 billion in 2024 — $21.6 billion from advertising — and is accessed by an estimated 2.7 billion people each month. It is a ubiquitous presence not just in music but across the internet. Numerous music executives point to the rise of YouTube Shorts as a likely factor behind video streaming’s downward trajectory. YouTube Shorts, TikTok-style short-form videos that have been neatly integrated into the YouTube viewing experience, were watched 70 billion times a day in 2024, according to Business of Apps. When people view Shorts, the thinking goes, they are less likely to view full-length music videos that provide record labels with better royalties. Labels’ licensing deals with YouTube pay them a flat fee for short-form videos, rather than the per-stream revenue share they get for full-length music videos, according to sources. “When algorithms and design decisions push fans toward short-form, the natural byproduct is declining engagement with long-form music videos,” says Johnny Cloherty, CEO of Songfluencer. Related Spotify’s HiFi Listening Feature Is Here (Finally) For many artists, full-length videos aren’t seen as a good investment, adds Cloherty. He has found that today’s artists spend approximately 10 times more time and resources creating short-form content rather than longer content. “I hear it directly from clients who are weighing whether to release stripped-down, lo-fi [full-length] videos — or no [full-length] video at all,” he says. YouTube’s diminished role in recorded music royalties can also partially be explained by the platform’s years-long transformation into a major entertainment company. Years ago, when YouTube was awash in low-quality content, music videos played a more prominent role, and labels commanded premium royalty rates. But YouTube has since turned itself into a platform where successful independent creators mingle with content from every major TV network. Multiple music industry sources believe YouTube’s focus on being a TV platform has hurt music. The TV is a major focus for YouTube, with two sources saying the rise of long-form videos by household names like MrBeast has come at the expense of a focus on music. There are now so many creators making high-quality videos that YouTube holds an annual “upfront,” an event typically held by TV networks, to woo advertisers. In August, YouTube was the top TV distributor in the U.S. for the sixth consecutive month with a 13.4% share of all TV usage, far ahead of No. 2 Disney’s 9.4%. The problem with ad-supported music isn’t confined to video. As Spotify’s advertising revenue has languished, its premium tier has helped fuel the company’s rapid growth. In 2022 and 2023, the company’s free user growth exceeded its premium user growth in seven of eight quarters. Over those two years, the number of free users grew 61% to 379 million while premium users grew at roughly half that rate, climbing 31% to 236 million. Related YouTube Music Turns 10: New Features, Fandom Initiatives & Why ‘Companions’ Are the Future of Streaming Since the first quarter of 2024, though, premium user growth bested free user growth four out of six times — including in the first two quarters of 2025. Over those six quarters, the number of premium users grew 17% to 276 million while free users increased just 14% to 433 million. “What you’re seeing is a maturing of the market in general,” says Sachin Saggar of RedBrick Advisors. “People converting to premium aren’t being replaced on the freemium side, which would lend itself to a decline in revenue [for ad-supported streaming].” The problem isn’t without solutions. Spotify’s changes to its free tier could help bring in new users, and giving free listeners the ability to select tracks could encourage free listeners to delve into the catalogs of artists they discover on social media. Additionally, short-form video platforms won’t always lag so far behind more mature platforms’ monetization. But those could be hard-fought gains for artists and labels. Additional reporting by Dan Rys and Kristin Robinson.

Billboard looks at 13 Brett James-written songs that reached the pinnacle of the Hot Country Songs chart.

Nashville’s music community is mourning the shocking loss of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Brett James, known for writing hits including Dierks Bentley‘s “I Hold On,” Carrie Underwood‘s Grammy-winning songs “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and “Something in the Water,” and Kenny Chesney’s “When The Sun Goes Down.” According to WLOS, James, 57, was among those who died tragically on Thursday, Sept. 18 in a small-engine plane crash near Franklin, North Carolina around 3 p.m. ET. The FAA reported that the aircraft was registered to Brett Cornelius of Brentwood, Tennessee (James’s full name is Brett James Cornelius). Brett James had 79 career entries on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart as a songwriter, with 25 songs cracking the chart’s top 10, and 13 of those songs making it all the way to the chart’s pinnacle. James also had 43 entries on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, including a top 10 with Kelly Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All.” The Missouri native traded his pursuit of a career in medicine for a career in music. As an artist, he inked a label deal and issued his debut, self-titled solo album in 1995. In 2001, he earned his first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart as a songwriter on the Jessica Andrews hit “Who I Am.” In 2002-2003, he had his own top 40 Hot Country Songs chart singles with “Chasin’ Amy” and “After All,” before going on to find greater success as one of country music’s premier songcrafters. James was twice named ASCAP’s country songwriter of the year (in 2006 and 2010), and was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s class of 2020 (the ceremony took place in 2021, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic). James was also a multiple Country Music Association triple play award winner, and beyond his songwriting talent, he also served on the CMA’s board for 17 years. James also launched the boutique music publishing company Cornman Music in 2007, championing and mentoring other songwriters. In 2020, James returned to his artist roots, releasing the solo album I Am Now, spearheaded by the song “True Believer.” Several of James’s creative colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to James as a friend and songwriter. Underwood wrote on social media, “Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words. Brett was the epitome of ‘cool.’ I see him in my mind riding up to my cabins to write on his motorcycle…his hair somehow perfectly coiffed despite being under a helmet for however long. I always loved hearing him sing ‘Cowboy Casanova’; because a sassy girl anthem should’ve sounded ridiculous coming from a macho dude like him, but somehow, he even made that cool. She added, “He was a good guy. I remember writing with him on a song that he basically wrote 75% of and had ready when he walked in the room. We filled in the blanks and added a little melody and I told him after that I didn’t feel right splitting the credit evenly when he did most of the work. He wouldn’t have it. He insisted that everything be equal. He was just that kind of guy…Brett loved the Lord. Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church. My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him. Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift. I’m asking all of you to pray for his family, friends and all of us that were blessed enough to know Brett. Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.” Bentley wrote on Instagram of James, “Rest in peace pal…one of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend.” Bentley also recalled writing “I Hold On” with James. “I brought a couple of roughy sketched verse ideas of I Hold On to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. The chorus is all him. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it. It was one of the first times we wrote and I decided to drop the most meaningful and necessary idea of a song I had on him, because I felt like God was telling me to do so. Our friendship and that song changed my life. 💔 Prayers for his family.” James’s fellow country songwriter, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) board president Lee Thomas Miller, said in a statement, “Today we mourn the tragic loss of a Music Row giant. Brett James has been a consistent powerhouse songwriter, publisher, and producer for over 30 years. He achieved heights that few songwriters in our town have ever seen. He was a star himself in every way a star can be defined, racking up dozens of hits for the who’s who of music. He represented the Nashville songwriting community all over the world, performing his hits as well as educating fans and lawmakers about the threats to intellectual property. He was a longtime board member and officer for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), serving in any role he was asked. NSAI and country music are better because of Brett. He will be missed more than I can even begin to say.” Below, Billboard highlights James’s 13 No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs hits as a songwriter.

Cardi B's Am I the Drama? includes the nine-time platinum smash "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion and the five-time platinum hit "Up."

Cardi B has much to celebrate on Friday (Sept. 19): She released her long-awaited sophomore album Am I the Drama? and it’s already certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The 23-track project features the nine-time platinum smash “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion and the five-time platinum hit “Up,” both of which topped the Billboard Hot 100. The Bronx MC previously defended her decision to include them on Am I the Drama?. “WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs, my fans have been asking me to put them on an album, and people search for them on IOP all the time… they deserve a home,” she wrote on X. “I let haters make me not submit WAP for the Grammy’s and at this point I’m giving my fans what they want!” “Congratulations @iamcardib! Her brand new album #AmITheDrama? is out now and already RIAA certified Platinum, featuring the certified 9x Platinum hit #WAP and 5x Platinum #UP @AtlanticRecords,” the RIAA wrote on X. Related Cardi B’s ‘Am I the Drama?’: All 23 Tracks Ranked Friday Music Guide: New Music From Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, Lola Young and More Cardi B Returns With ‘Am I the Drama?’ Album Featuring Summer Walker & Janet Jackson: Stream It Now Cardi also made RIAA history in 2022 with her 2018 debut album Invasion of Privacy, with all 13 tracks being certified platinum or higher, which made Cardi the first female rapper to achieve the feat. That accomplishment further extended her initial record as the first female artist to have every track on an album certified gold. She’s also the first female MC to have multiple diamond-certified singles, with her 2017 breakout smash “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It” featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny, and “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5. See the RIAA’s announcement about Cardi’s latest accomplishment below. Congratulations @iamcardib! 🎉 Her brand new album #AmITheDrama? is out now and already RIAA certified Platinum, featuring the certified 9x Platinum hit #WAP and 5x Platinum #UP. 💿✨ @AtlanticRecords pic.twitter.com/LhnUb0Ua9Y — RIAA (@RIAA) September 19, 2025

Stream your favorite movies and TV shows with Walmart+.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Although Walmart has a wide range of daily rollback deals online, one of the best ways to save big at the retailer is with a membership to Walmart+. And now is the best time to sign up and save more, as Walmart+ is launching a new video streaming (or entertainment) benefit. Right now, new and existing Walmart+ members can have your pick between access to two premiere streaming services: Paramount+ or Peacock. (Choose one ad-supported service every 90 days: Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. Add’l registration req’d. T&Cs apply.) The choice is yours for the best in streaming. Sign up For Walmart+ Paramount+ Paramount+ delivers a powerhouse entertainment lineup, featuring exclusive originals, blockbuster films, live sports, and fan-favorite series. The streaming service features live sports, including UEFA Champions League, as well as sports news, analysis and highlights. It also has your favorites from CBS, Nickelodeon and other Paramount Global networks. Peacock Peacock has your favorite movies and hit TV shows, including top reality programming, full seasons of series from NBC and Bravo, and a wide selection of originals. A subscription also includes live sports, coverage of major leagues, and access to a deep library of classic and fan-favorite films and TV shows. But whichever streaming service you pick, as part of Walmart+, you can switch after 90 days if you want — or just keep what you’ve got and enjoy the latest movies, shows and sports. Other Walmart+ Perks Aside from streaming access to either Paramount+ or Peacock, Walmart+ members get benefits, like fast delivery, ($35 minimum. Restrictions apply.) gas savings, early access deals (Paid members only. Online only. While supplies last.) and much more. You can sign up for a 30-day trial to try out the service for yourself. After the trial is over, choose an annual Walmart+ membership for $98 per year, which is about $8.17 per month. Or a monthly plan for $12.95 per month. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here. Sign up For Walmart+

The Trump Administration seems to be cracking down on the media. How will that change business for artists and labels?

The new, new media business was ushered in with a phrase that sounds less like that of a dictator than an exasperated parent. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr said on a podcast on Wednesday (Sept. 17) about the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Soon, Nexstar, the largest U.S. owner of TV stations, announced that it would preempt Kimmel’s show — followed by ABC itself. The practical lesson here is not only that the Trump administration is trying to exert more control over the media, it’s that it has more tools to do so than most people realize. The government didn’t forbid Kimmel from saying certain things — it just showed how much it could cost ABC, a division of Disney, for him to continue saying them. Disney is powerful because it’s big, but that also means it presents plenty of surfaces to attack. Related Margo Price Is Glad She Got the ‘Last Word’ With Anti-Fascist Song on ‘Kimmel’ Before Suspension Suspect Arrested in Theft of Beyoncé's Unreleased Music Coachella Lineup in September? Why the Festival Is Going on Sale So Early in 2026 So do music companies. Start with the obvious — FCC authority over telecasts like the Grammy Awards or the Super Bowl. The FCC also regulates radio, which is why Eminem rapped that the agency won’t let him be. The federal government has authority over intellectual property, and Trump already fired the Register of Copyrights just after she released a report that angered Silicon Valley, although his reasoning is unclear. Some state and local governments also have some authority over sports and dedicated concert venues that are on public land or built with public funding. None of this gives the government the power to decide what music gets released, of course. But it also doesn’t have the power to take Kimmel off the air. The truth is that Soviet-style censorship is outmoded anyway — all of those middle-of-the-night disappearances create so much drama. Trump seems far more interested in shaping the media the way Prime Minister Viktor Orbán does in Hungary — by rewarding friendly companies and encouraging allied oligarchs to buy the rest. Before long, dissent becomes like jazz — intellectually important but extremely unpopular. So far, the music industry has treated Trump with a weird mix of artist and executive disdain and official silence. Sure, Trump’s policies have caused issues for some artists and smaller businesses — most significantly in the form of visa problems — but business keeps streaming along. Does that mean it will continue to do so, though? Imagine if Trump decided that he hated a particular artist — hardly a reach. If the artist had obscene lyrics, the FCC could caution radio stations about playing his songs, and right-wing websites could call for boycotts. Then the label would have to decide whether to stand behind the artist, which most executives would presumably want to do, and which would normally be in their interest as well. Until pressure was put on the parent company — maybe about something related to music policy (AI?) or an acquisition? Then the label would have to decide whether standing behind the artist is worth the cost. At first, of course! But that could get harder as the cost gets higher, given that companies have an obligation to act in the best interests of shareholders. Related Jon Stewart Addresses Jimmy Kimmel’s Late-Night TV Ouster In the case of Kimmel, Disney didn’t blink first. Nexstar said it would preempt the show on its 28 ABC affiliates. (Nexstar has said its decision had nothing to do with Carr’s comments, but it is now seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion acquisition.) Soon after, ABC said the show would be “preempted indefinitely.” A music business version of this isn’t so hard to imagine. Let’s say streaming services keep this imaginary artist’s music online but remove his songs from their playlists, so they’re just that much harder to find. There are only four big streaming companies, and three of them — Alphabet, Amazon and Apple — are U.S. technology companies that are regulated in all sorts of ways. Obviously, artists can have careers without those companies or the three major label conglomerates. But it is hard to imagine them making much noise in the mainstream. It’s hard to know what will happen in the next few months, but it seems safe to predict that at least one major musician will seriously piss off President Trump — Jack White is off to a good start. The issue could easily hang over the Grammy telecast, putting the show’s producers in an awkward position of standing up for artists in a way that could make things harder for their TV partner. Other artists could have to choose sides in a way that would make it hard for labels to stay silent. Then again, some costs are worth paying: Why not have Kimmel host the show?

Justin Bieber’s ‘SWAG’ album collaborators Eddie Benjamin, Cash Cobain and Sekou each discuss meeting Bieber via DMs, how recording with him was a spiritual experience and break down the recording of the songs “DAISIES,” “SWAG” and “TOO LONG.” Sekou: I think he was, like, my first concert, um, ever.  Eddie Benjamin: Yeah. Justin’s flow state […]

Justin Bieber’s ‘SWAG’ album collaborators Eddie Benjamin, Cash Cobain and Sekou each discuss meeting Bieber via DMs, how recording with him was a spiritual experience and break down the recording of the songs “DAISIES,” “SWAG” and “TOO LONG.” Sekou: I think he was, like, my first concert, um, ever. Eddie Benjamin: Yeah. Justin’s flow state is the most powerful I’ve seen. Cash Cobain: I f*ck Justin though (laughs). Sekou: Instagram DMs. Um, we started DM’ing. Actually, I think I DM’d him about three years ago. Sometimes I just DM random people, but. . . And then he replied to one January afternoon and it was so funny ’cause we kind of just laughed about what I said. I remember, like, sending him my number and we FaceTimed and then it just kind of really started. And we just got along, like, so well and, um, it just felt so effortless so yeah. And then I came to LA and started working with him in the studio. The rest is kind of like what’s happening right now so yeah, it felt very exciting. Cash Cobain: Justin Bieber kept using, like, “Tripping on a yacht” for, like, his posts. So I said, “Nah, I gotta hit the n*gga up right now. ” I wrote him, “Hey, we gotta do a song. ” He agreed with it, he sent me his number and then yeah, it was like. . .you know what I mean? Eddie Benjamin: I think I posted, like, maybe six, five or six videos. Like, I kept it really chill and I just remember the first two artists that hit me around the exact same time was Justin and Sia. And honestly, like, I’ve, was just felt really protected and safe from the jump. Watch the full video above!

Cardi B, Miley Cyrus and Lola Young all released new music this week.

Are you the drama? That’s the question on everyone’s lips as fans rejoice over the arrival of Cardi B‘s long-awaited new album Am I the Drama? on Friday (Sept. 19). But alongside Cardi’s comeback, this New Music Friday has also brought us new tracks from artists from across the musical spectrum, and we want to know which one you’re jamming to this weekend. Related Friday Music Guide: New Music From Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, Lola Young and More Cardi B Says Selena Gomez Always ‘Comes Through,’ Even Though ‘She’s a Whole Billionaire’ Miley Cyrus Gets Deep About Emotional New Song ‘Secrets’: ‘Written As a Peace Offering’ In the seven years since she released her beloved debut album Invasion of Privacy, Cardi has been hard at work, releasing beloved singles like “WAP,” “Up” and more. Now, those songs are back with her new album, alongside a slew of new collaborations with superstars like Janet Jackson, Kehlani, Lizzo and plenty more. Building on the success of her singles “Outside” and “Imaginary Playerz,” Cardi — who recently announced that she’s pregnant with her fourth child and her first with boyfriend Stefon Diggs — is ready to party as Am I the Drama? finally arrives. Miley Cyrus also has her eye on teaming up with some musical legends, as the singer released her deluxe edition of Something Beautiful, with a new song called “Secrets” featuring two-thirds of Fleetwood Mac, Lindsay Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood. On the new song, Miley sings about wanting to ease hostilities with someone, urging them to “call off all your forces,” and offering a “white flag in the war.” The singer said the song was written as “a peace offering for someone I had lost for a time but always loved.” Meanwhile, Lola Young shared her much-anticipated new album I’m Only F–king Myself, featuring her latest singles “One Thing,” D£aler” and “Spiders.” Raye is on the hunt for a new man in her infectious new single “Where Is My Husband!” And Nine Inch Nails deliver fans yet another film score with the sondtrack to TRON: Ares. But which new release from this week is your favorite? Let us know by voting in our poll below! Take Our Poll

The singer had been slated to play at MGM Music Hall and Foxwoods.

Morrissey has cancelled his upcoming shows in Massachusetts and Connecticut, citing concerns for his safety. Related Jack White Sells as Morrissey Shops: What Two Iconic Catalogs Reveal About Music Asset Value Morrissey To Re-Boot U.S. Tour After ‘Severe Sinusitis Attack’ Causes Hospitalization, Postponed Shows Morrissey Announces U.K. & Ireland Tour Dates, His First Since 2023 The singer shared the news on Instagram on Friday (Sept. 19), writing, “Due to recent events and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and band, the upcoming shows this weekend at Foxwoods and MGM Music Hall have been cancelled.” “All tickets will be refunded automatically at your original point of purchase,” the post continued. “We appreciate your understanding.” The Boston venue also shared the news on its Instagram page, shedding a little bit more light on the situation. “In recent days, there has been a credible threat on Morrissey’s life,” MGM Music Hall wrote. “Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and band, tomorrow’s engagement at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway has been cancelled.” Morrissey had been scheduled to perform at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn., on Friday. The next day, he would have played his show in Boston. It’s unclear what the threat to the former Smiths frontman’s safety entailed, but it could be related to the recent arrest of Ottawa citizen Noah Castellano. As reported by Ottawa Citizen, the 26-year-old was brought into custody after writing on Bluesky, “Steven Patrick Morrissey when you perform at TD Place here in Ottawa next week on the evening of September 12th, 2025 at about 9pm, I will be present at the venue in the audience and I will attempt to shoot you many times and kill you with a very large gun that I own illegally.” Morrissey did end up playing the show in Ottawa, while Castellano was reportedly charged with threatening to cause death or bodily harm. He was later released on $5,000 bail. See Morrissey’s announcement below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MORRISSEY (@morrisseyofficial)

Acquitted of more serious charges, Sean Combs was found guilty of violating a law enacted during a panic over “white slavery” that is now a common tool in sex crimes prosecutions.

The Jewish tradition of debate is at the center of a new chamber opera about two scholars clashing over a Yiddish dictionary in the aftermath of World War II.

Jenny Han, the showrunner, handpicked music that referenced previous generations’ pop culture for Amazon Prime’s young adult drama.

Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson take viewers south on the Underground Railroad in this electric production that feels like a jam session.

The “One Battle After Another” actor and the Grammy award-winning musician on trusting God, playing against type and getting lost in the music.

The Puerto Rican superstar, with 12 nods, and the multigenre duo from Argentina, with 10, will compete in the biggest categories.

On the streets of Lower Manhattan, the famed record producer looks for signs of those sweaty 1990s nights.

Like his friend and mentor Bobby Short, he exuded haute style while imbuing American standards with grace and wit.

Hear recent tracks from Bon Iver, Dijon, Karol G and more.

The streaming service, which became popular in the 2000s, paid $245,000 for the festival naming rights. It’s unclear what exactly it plans to do with the embattled brand.

Charles Ludlam’s camp tribute to Maria Callas, featuring the countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, is glamorous to a fault at Little Island.

The centennial of Robert Owens, a composer who worked abroad and assimilated into German culture, is being celebrated with a festival in Nebraska.

Shamek Farrah’s 1974 debut is a highly sought-after rarity, but even his most ardent admirers know little about him. In a rare interview, he tells his story.

A revival of the much-loved 1981 musical is planned for next fall, directed by Camille A. Brown.

Decades ago, singles were printed on cereal boxes as cutout prizes. Now, a dedicated few are working to save these cardboard treasures from extinction.

As Cat Stevens, he helped define the singer-songwriter. After converting to Islam, he became a lightning rod. His new memoir explores it all.

The hit songwriting duo he and Tommy Boyce formed in the 1960s was best known for the unexpectedly popular tunes of a made-for-TV band.

Her casting in the forthcoming “Kiss of the Spider Woman” underscores how her best onscreen work has always been informed by what’s happening offscreen.

A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, he rose from a childhood of rural privation to become a favorite of jazz musicians and audiences around the world.

Aficionados, and her fellow musicians, considered her one of the best living vocalists. But she chose not to seek a bigger spotlight.

The writer-director made hit after hit movie, until he didn’t. But he doesn’t let it get him down.