Alex Warren's single "Ordinary" continues to dominate global music charts, securing the number one spot on the United World Chart for a sixth week, the Billboard Global 200 for a tenth week, and the Global Excl. U.S. chart for an eighth week. The song has also maintained its position at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, marking a milestone 21 weeks on the chart overall.

Additionally, "Ordinary" has topped the Radio Songs chart for three weeks and reclaimed the number one position on Digital Song Sales for an eighth week. Warren's success has been accompanied by his candid discussions about fame, his new album "You’ll Be Alright, Kid," and his correspondence with Ed Sheeran, who has become a friend and mentor. Separately, Ed Sheeran is expanding his creative pursuits by exhibiting and selling his abstract paintings, created during tour breaks, at the Heni Gallery in London. This new venture is part of his "Cosmic Carpark Paintings" series, with proceeds benefiting his foundation. Other artists mentioned include Dylan Earl, who recently released an album titled "Level-Headed Even Smile," and Teddy Swims, who discussed his album "I've Tried Everything But Therapy," his tour, and fatherhood.

Drake launched a surprise YouTube broadcast at around 9 p.m. Eastern on 4 July after telling followers to "be here at 9 PM" on Instagram. The stream, titled "Iceman Episode 1," opened inside a warehouse where two trucks carried a large "Iceman" logo, hinting at the rapper’s next project.

During the half-hour episode the Toronto artist premiered a new track, "What Did I Miss?", marking his first fresh music since February. Drake said more instalments of the series are planned but did not reveal a release date for the accompanying studio album.

Read more

Hip-hop producer Metro Boomin said he will release a new mixtape later in July, marking his first project of 2025. Details on the track list and collaborators were not disclosed, but the St. Louis–born hit-maker confirmed the project is expected this month.

Separately, Canadian rapper Drake announced via Instagram that a new song titled “What Did I Miss?” will arrive at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on 4 July. The release would be Drake’s first new material since his 2024 album, adding to speculation about a larger project.

Rapper NBA YoungBoy announced the release of his new album titled "Make America Slime Again," initially set for July 4, 2025. This album marks his first project since his release from federal prison. The album includes a confirmed feature from Playboi Carti. On July 4, NBA YoungBoy also released the album pre-order along with six new tracks, with the full album release date subsequently moved to July 25, 2025. Following the album announcement, NBA YoungBoy was spotted in Paris, France, marking his first visit to the city as part of a world tour after his recent incarceration. The album is among several hip-hop projects scheduled for release in July 2025, alongside works by artists such as Clipse, Joyner Lucas, and Kevin Gates.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has officially ordered a fight between Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO lightweight world title following Keyshawn Davis's recent vacancy of the belt. Both undefeated, Noakes holds a record of 17-0 with 15 knockouts, while Mason is 19-0 with 17 knockouts. The two fighters have 20 days to negotiate before the bout potentially goes to purse bids. Abdullah Mason, a Ring ambassador, has expressed willingness to travel to the UK for the fight.

The title bout is scheduled to take place in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Riyadh Season boxing event. This event will also feature two other major title fights: David Benavidez defending his WBC light-heavyweight world title against Anthony Yarde, and Brian Norman Jr. defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney. Both Benavidez vs. Yarde and Norman vs. Haney bouts have been confirmed by Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi General Authority for Entertainment chairman. The lightweight title fight between Noakes and Mason will be on the undercard of the Benavidez-Yarde and Norman-Haney matches. Sam Noakes is ranked No. 9 and Abdullah Mason No. 10 in The Ring's lightweight rankings. The Riyadh Season event is positioned as a major boxing showcase in November 2025.

Warner Music Group will eliminate hundreds of jobs and shrink other overheads as part of a drive to cut annual expenses by about $300 million, according to a memo from Chief Executive Officer Robert Kyncl. Roughly $170 million of the savings will come from staff reductions, with the remaining $130 million generated through lower administrative and real-estate costs. Most of the changes are slated to occur within the next three months, with the remainder completed in fiscal 2026.

Kyncl said the savings will be reinvested in artist-and-repertoire initiatives and mergers and acquisitions, underscoring a strategy to "future-proof" the company. Earlier in the day, Warner announced a $1.2 billion joint venture with Bain Capital aimed at purchasing recorded-music and publishing catalogs. The latest round of cuts follows roughly 600 layoffs in 2024 and 270 in 2023 as the company continues to streamline operations amid shifting industry economics.

Rosé of Blackpink and Bruno Mars have extended the run of their collaboration “APT.” on Billboard’s Hot 100 to 36 consecutive weeks, the longest streak ever logged by a K-pop act, according to the chart dated July 1. The single first reached the rankings in October 2024, debuting at No. 8 and later rising to a No. 3 peak for two weeks, the highest position yet for a female K-pop soloist.

The new mark pushes past the 33-week record set last year by BTS member Jimin’s “Who.” In the most recent weekly tally published June 24, “APT.” slipped one place to No. 25 but maintained enough streaming, radio and sales momentum to prolong its historic stay on the chart.

Streaming strength continues to underpin the song’s performance. On July 1 Apple Music listed “APT.” at No. 459 on its all-time Top 500 most-streamed tracks, making it the newest entry on the global ranking. The single has also spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the United World Chart, underscoring its sustained international appeal.

Rapper J.I.D released a new freestyle titled "32," performed over Playboi Carti's "HBA" beat on July 1, 2025. The freestyle has been made available across platforms and has garnered attention from multiple music outlets. In conjunction with this release, J.I.D announced his upcoming mixtape, "GDLU Prelude," which is scheduled to drop on July 4, 2025.

Warner Music Group and Bain Capital on Tuesday unveiled a joint venture that will deploy up to $1.2 billion to acquire recorded-music and publishing catalogs. The partners have committed equal equity stakes and will jointly identify targets, while Warner will oversee marketing, distribution and rights administration.

Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank are acting as lead arrangers for the vehicle, which aims to capitalise on the steady demand for evergreen music assets in the streaming era. The move follows a string of high-profile catalog purchases by major labels and investment firms seeking predictable royalty streams.

Read more

Joni Mitchell is set to release a new archival box set titled "Joni's Jazz" in September 2025, compiling 61 tracks that showcase her jazz music explorations. The collection features rare and alternate recordings, including previously unreleased demos and live performances. Notably, the set includes collaborations with prominent jazz musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, and Charles Mingus. The first preview from the compilation is an unearthed 1980 demo of "Be Cool," a track originally released in 1982 on Mitchell's album "Wild Things Run Fast," which features Shorter on saxophone. The box set aims to highlight Mitchell's significant contributions to jazz through a variety of recordings, including alternate versions and previously unheard material.

Jay-Z made an unannounced appearance at Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" tour date at Paris’ Stade de France on 23 June, performing several songs with his wife, including their hits "Crazy in Love" and "Drunk in Love."

During a solo rendition of the 2011 track "Ni**as in Paris," the rapper altered the line "Just might let you meet Ye"—a reference to his former collaborator Kanye West—to "Just might let you meet Bey," replacing West’s name with Beyoncé’s. Fan-shot video of the show quickly circulated online.

Read more

Olivia Rodrigo delivered notable performances at two major UK music events in late June 2025. At the British Summer Time (BST) festival in Hyde Park, London, she surprised the audience by bringing out Ed Sheeran to perform a duet of his song "The A Team." The show was sold out, highlighting Rodrigo's rising prominence in the music scene. Shortly after, at the Glastonbury Festival 2025, Rodrigo headlined the Pyramid Stage and concluded her politically charged set by inviting Robert Smith, the frontman of the legendary British band The Cure, for a surprise collaboration. Together, they performed The Cure classics "Friday I'm in Love" and "Just Like Heaven." Rodrigo also performed some of her biggest hits at Glastonbury, including "Drivers License," "Vampire," and "Good 4 U." These collaborations with established British artists Ed Sheeran and Robert Smith underscore Rodrigo's growing influence and ability to bridge contemporary pop with iconic rock legacies.

At Glastonbury Festival 2025, Neil Young delivered a headline performance on the Pyramid Stage featuring classic songs such as "Harvest Moon," "Sun Green," and "Rockin' In The Free World." Reviews highlighted the passion and simplicity of his no-frills set, though some noted his voice was not as strong as in the past and that he occasionally veered into political gestures. Despite a thinner crowd than expected, Young's performance was praised for its reverence to classic rock. Olivia Rodrigo also headlined the festival, opening her set with "Obsessed" and performing hits like "Vampire," "All-American Bitch," and "Get Him Back," concluding with a fireworks display. Her performance was described as triumphant, with Rodrigo outshining veteran artists and drawing the largest crowd she has ever seen. Other notable acts included Rod Stewart, who received mixed reviews for his Glastonbury set, and Wolf Alice, who previewed songs from their new album "The Clearing" and covered Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." The festival showcased a blend of established legends and rising stars across its lineup.

Olivia Rodrigo drew an estimated 65,000 fans to London’s BST Hyde Park on 27 June, staging her largest U.K. concert to date. Mid-set, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter introduced “one of my favourite Brits” Ed Sheeran, and the pair performed his 2011 hit “The A Team,” marking the first time they have shared a stage.

The surprise appearance capped a career-spanning set that included Rodrigo’s chart-topping singles “drivers license,” “good 4 u” and “vampire.” Actress-singer Sabrina Carpenter, who is scheduled to headline the same festival next week, was seen watching the show from a balcony.

Rodrigo’s Hyde Park outing serves as a warm-up for her debut as a Glastonbury Festival headliner on 29 June, where further guest cameos are now being speculated.

Bruce Springsteen has continued his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump during his 2025 European tour, describing Trump as a "moron" and condemning his administration as "corrupt," "incompetent," and "a tragedy" for the United States. Springsteen has also denounced the actions of ICE and called for resistance against authoritarianism. His political messages have been a prominent feature of his concerts in Frankfurt, San Sebastián, Milan's San Siro stadium, and Gelsenkirchen, where an incident occurred involving a falling metal piece that injured three attendees. In addition to his live performances, Springsteen released a new archival box set titled "Tracks II: The Lost Albums," featuring seven previously unreleased albums with a total of 83 tracks, including 74 new songs.

The collection has been praised for its insight into Springsteen's creative process and for challenging the narrative of a lost decade in the 1990s. Reviews highlight the box set as a significant addition to his discography, showcasing a range of genres and storytelling craftsmanship. The release coincides with his ongoing political engagement and large-scale concerts attracting tens of thousands of fans.

T-Pain has publicly questioned whether Drake is abiding by his own 2023 pledge to make a “graceful” retirement from music. Speaking on the Crash Dummies Podcast earlier in June, the Florida singer-rapper said Drake’s repeated releases and high-profile clashes showed he had become “the person he said he wouldn’t be,” adding that the comments prompted T-Pain himself to scale back his output.

Billboard on Thursday reported T-Pain’s remarks, which revisited Drake’s conversation with Lil Yachty two years ago in which the Toronto artist said he hoped to “gracefully bow out and not get kicked out” of the rap scene. Since that interview, Drake has issued the album “For All the Dogs,” engaged in a lyrical feud with Kendrick Lamar and collaborated with PARTYNEXTDOOR on “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.”

Drake responded on social media late Thursday, writing, “This guy always had resentment for me,” without addressing the substance of T-Pain’s criticism. Neither artist has announced new projects or retirement plans following the exchange.

Black Sabbath have entered rehearsals for their farewell show, “Back To The Beginning,” due on 5 July at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham. A photograph released on 25 June shows Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward together in the studio, confirming Ward’s first stage appearance with the group in twenty years. Guitarist Tony Iommi, absent from the image, is expected to complete the original line-up for what is billed as the band’s last performance.

Read more

Cardi B has unveiled details of her long-awaited second studio album, confirming the set is titled “Am I the Drama?” and will be released on 19 September. The Bronx-born rapper disclosed the news on social media, ending a seven-year wait since her 2018 debut, “Invasion of Privacy.”

According to a preliminary track list posted on streaming services, the new record will feature 23 songs, including her chart-topping singles “WAP,” “Up” and the recent “Outside.” The release positions Cardi B, 32, for another commercial run after she became the first solo woman to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album with her debut.

The announcement caps months of speculation about the follow-up project and sets a date for one of hip-hop’s most anticipated releases of the year. No additional guest features or production credits were disclosed.

Young Thug made his first live performance since being released from jail at the 2025 Summer Smash festival in Chicago. The event featured appearances by Travis Scott, T.I., and Ken Carson, who joined Young Thug on stage. During the performance, Young Thug engaged with the audience by crowd surfing. The comeback show was widely noted as a triumphant return, with multiple sources highlighting key moments from the set. Following this performance, Young Thug is scheduled to appear at ComplexCon 3025.

Haim, the Californian indie rock trio consisting of sisters Alana, Danielle, and Este Haim, released their fourth studio album, "I Quit," in June 2025, marking their first album in five years. Co-produced by Danielle Haim and Rostam Batmanglij, the album explores themes of romantic breakups, artistic separation, and the experience of being single. Critics have noted that "I Quit" pushes the band's sound in new directions, incorporating rootsier elements with raw, lo-fi drums and guitars, and drawing influences from 1960s rock acts like the Rolling Stones and the Band. The album has been described as a remix of the divorce-rock genre tailored for a generation cautious about marriage, with its songs moving from regret and second-guessing to feelings of relief and liberation.

The New York Times named it a Critic's Pick, highlighting its emotional depth and evolution from their previous work, "Women in Music Pt. III." Reviews from various outlets emphasize the album's dexterous songwriting, playful indie-rock sound, and the sisters' strong artistic cohesion without guest features. "I Quit" reflects a period when all three members were simultaneously single, adding a charged and celestial quality to the record's themes of love and loss.

Alex Warren's single "Ordinary" continues to dominate global music charts, securing the number one spot on the United World Chart for a sixth week, the Billboard Global 200 for a tenth week, and the Global Excl. U.S. chart for an eighth week. The song has also maintained its position at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, marking a milestone 21 weeks on the chart overall.

Additionally, "Ordinary" has topped the Radio Songs chart for three weeks and reclaimed the number one position on Digital Song Sales for an eighth week. Warren's success has been accompanied by his candid discussions about fame, his new album "You’ll Be Alright, Kid," and his correspondence with Ed Sheeran, who has become a friend and mentor. Separately, Ed Sheeran is expanding his creative pursuits by exhibiting and selling his abstract paintings, created during tour breaks, at the Heni Gallery in London. This new venture is part of his "Cosmic Carpark Paintings" series, with proceeds benefiting his foundation. Other artists mentioned include Dylan Earl, who recently released an album titled "Level-Headed Even Smile," and Teddy Swims, who discussed his album "I've Tried Everything But Therapy," his tour, and fatherhood.

Drake launched a surprise YouTube broadcast at around 9 p.m. Eastern on 4 July after telling followers to "be here at 9 PM" on Instagram. The stream, titled "Iceman Episode 1," opened inside a warehouse where two trucks carried a large "Iceman" logo, hinting at the rapper’s next project.

During the half-hour episode the Toronto artist premiered a new track, "What Did I Miss?", marking his first fresh music since February. Drake said more instalments of the series are planned but did not reveal a release date for the accompanying studio album.

Read more

Hip-hop producer Metro Boomin said he will release a new mixtape later in July, marking his first project of 2025. Details on the track list and collaborators were not disclosed, but the St. Louis–born hit-maker confirmed the project is expected this month.

Separately, Canadian rapper Drake announced via Instagram that a new song titled “What Did I Miss?” will arrive at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on 4 July. The release would be Drake’s first new material since his 2024 album, adding to speculation about a larger project.

Rapper NBA YoungBoy announced the release of his new album titled "Make America Slime Again," initially set for July 4, 2025. This album marks his first project since his release from federal prison. The album includes a confirmed feature from Playboi Carti. On July 4, NBA YoungBoy also released the album pre-order along with six new tracks, with the full album release date subsequently moved to July 25, 2025. Following the album announcement, NBA YoungBoy was spotted in Paris, France, marking his first visit to the city as part of a world tour after his recent incarceration. The album is among several hip-hop projects scheduled for release in July 2025, alongside works by artists such as Clipse, Joyner Lucas, and Kevin Gates.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has officially ordered a fight between Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO lightweight world title following Keyshawn Davis's recent vacancy of the belt. Both undefeated, Noakes holds a record of 17-0 with 15 knockouts, while Mason is 19-0 with 17 knockouts. The two fighters have 20 days to negotiate before the bout potentially goes to purse bids. Abdullah Mason, a Ring ambassador, has expressed willingness to travel to the UK for the fight.

The title bout is scheduled to take place in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Riyadh Season boxing event. This event will also feature two other major title fights: David Benavidez defending his WBC light-heavyweight world title against Anthony Yarde, and Brian Norman Jr. defending his WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney. Both Benavidez vs. Yarde and Norman vs. Haney bouts have been confirmed by Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi General Authority for Entertainment chairman. The lightweight title fight between Noakes and Mason will be on the undercard of the Benavidez-Yarde and Norman-Haney matches. Sam Noakes is ranked No. 9 and Abdullah Mason No. 10 in The Ring's lightweight rankings. The Riyadh Season event is positioned as a major boxing showcase in November 2025.

Warner Music Group will eliminate hundreds of jobs and shrink other overheads as part of a drive to cut annual expenses by about $300 million, according to a memo from Chief Executive Officer Robert Kyncl. Roughly $170 million of the savings will come from staff reductions, with the remaining $130 million generated through lower administrative and real-estate costs. Most of the changes are slated to occur within the next three months, with the remainder completed in fiscal 2026.

Kyncl said the savings will be reinvested in artist-and-repertoire initiatives and mergers and acquisitions, underscoring a strategy to "future-proof" the company. Earlier in the day, Warner announced a $1.2 billion joint venture with Bain Capital aimed at purchasing recorded-music and publishing catalogs. The latest round of cuts follows roughly 600 layoffs in 2024 and 270 in 2023 as the company continues to streamline operations amid shifting industry economics.

Rosé of Blackpink and Bruno Mars have extended the run of their collaboration “APT.” on Billboard’s Hot 100 to 36 consecutive weeks, the longest streak ever logged by a K-pop act, according to the chart dated July 1. The single first reached the rankings in October 2024, debuting at No. 8 and later rising to a No. 3 peak for two weeks, the highest position yet for a female K-pop soloist.

The new mark pushes past the 33-week record set last year by BTS member Jimin’s “Who.” In the most recent weekly tally published June 24, “APT.” slipped one place to No. 25 but maintained enough streaming, radio and sales momentum to prolong its historic stay on the chart.

Streaming strength continues to underpin the song’s performance. On July 1 Apple Music listed “APT.” at No. 459 on its all-time Top 500 most-streamed tracks, making it the newest entry on the global ranking. The single has also spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the United World Chart, underscoring its sustained international appeal.

Rapper J.I.D released a new freestyle titled "32," performed over Playboi Carti's "HBA" beat on July 1, 2025. The freestyle has been made available across platforms and has garnered attention from multiple music outlets. In conjunction with this release, J.I.D announced his upcoming mixtape, "GDLU Prelude," which is scheduled to drop on July 4, 2025.

Warner Music Group and Bain Capital on Tuesday unveiled a joint venture that will deploy up to $1.2 billion to acquire recorded-music and publishing catalogs. The partners have committed equal equity stakes and will jointly identify targets, while Warner will oversee marketing, distribution and rights administration.

Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank are acting as lead arrangers for the vehicle, which aims to capitalise on the steady demand for evergreen music assets in the streaming era. The move follows a string of high-profile catalog purchases by major labels and investment firms seeking predictable royalty streams.

Read more

Joni Mitchell is set to release a new archival box set titled "Joni's Jazz" in September 2025, compiling 61 tracks that showcase her jazz music explorations. The collection features rare and alternate recordings, including previously unreleased demos and live performances. Notably, the set includes collaborations with prominent jazz musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, and Charles Mingus. The first preview from the compilation is an unearthed 1980 demo of "Be Cool," a track originally released in 1982 on Mitchell's album "Wild Things Run Fast," which features Shorter on saxophone. The box set aims to highlight Mitchell's significant contributions to jazz through a variety of recordings, including alternate versions and previously unheard material.

Jay-Z made an unannounced appearance at Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" tour date at Paris’ Stade de France on 23 June, performing several songs with his wife, including their hits "Crazy in Love" and "Drunk in Love."

During a solo rendition of the 2011 track "Ni**as in Paris," the rapper altered the line "Just might let you meet Ye"—a reference to his former collaborator Kanye West—to "Just might let you meet Bey," replacing West’s name with Beyoncé’s. Fan-shot video of the show quickly circulated online.

Read more

Olivia Rodrigo delivered notable performances at two major UK music events in late June 2025. At the British Summer Time (BST) festival in Hyde Park, London, she surprised the audience by bringing out Ed Sheeran to perform a duet of his song "The A Team." The show was sold out, highlighting Rodrigo's rising prominence in the music scene. Shortly after, at the Glastonbury Festival 2025, Rodrigo headlined the Pyramid Stage and concluded her politically charged set by inviting Robert Smith, the frontman of the legendary British band The Cure, for a surprise collaboration. Together, they performed The Cure classics "Friday I'm in Love" and "Just Like Heaven." Rodrigo also performed some of her biggest hits at Glastonbury, including "Drivers License," "Vampire," and "Good 4 U." These collaborations with established British artists Ed Sheeran and Robert Smith underscore Rodrigo's growing influence and ability to bridge contemporary pop with iconic rock legacies.

At Glastonbury Festival 2025, Neil Young delivered a headline performance on the Pyramid Stage featuring classic songs such as "Harvest Moon," "Sun Green," and "Rockin' In The Free World." Reviews highlighted the passion and simplicity of his no-frills set, though some noted his voice was not as strong as in the past and that he occasionally veered into political gestures. Despite a thinner crowd than expected, Young's performance was praised for its reverence to classic rock. Olivia Rodrigo also headlined the festival, opening her set with "Obsessed" and performing hits like "Vampire," "All-American Bitch," and "Get Him Back," concluding with a fireworks display. Her performance was described as triumphant, with Rodrigo outshining veteran artists and drawing the largest crowd she has ever seen. Other notable acts included Rod Stewart, who received mixed reviews for his Glastonbury set, and Wolf Alice, who previewed songs from their new album "The Clearing" and covered Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." The festival showcased a blend of established legends and rising stars across its lineup.

Olivia Rodrigo drew an estimated 65,000 fans to London’s BST Hyde Park on 27 June, staging her largest U.K. concert to date. Mid-set, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter introduced “one of my favourite Brits” Ed Sheeran, and the pair performed his 2011 hit “The A Team,” marking the first time they have shared a stage.

The surprise appearance capped a career-spanning set that included Rodrigo’s chart-topping singles “drivers license,” “good 4 u” and “vampire.” Actress-singer Sabrina Carpenter, who is scheduled to headline the same festival next week, was seen watching the show from a balcony.

Rodrigo’s Hyde Park outing serves as a warm-up for her debut as a Glastonbury Festival headliner on 29 June, where further guest cameos are now being speculated.

Bruce Springsteen has continued his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump during his 2025 European tour, describing Trump as a "moron" and condemning his administration as "corrupt," "incompetent," and "a tragedy" for the United States. Springsteen has also denounced the actions of ICE and called for resistance against authoritarianism. His political messages have been a prominent feature of his concerts in Frankfurt, San Sebastián, Milan's San Siro stadium, and Gelsenkirchen, where an incident occurred involving a falling metal piece that injured three attendees. In addition to his live performances, Springsteen released a new archival box set titled "Tracks II: The Lost Albums," featuring seven previously unreleased albums with a total of 83 tracks, including 74 new songs.

The collection has been praised for its insight into Springsteen's creative process and for challenging the narrative of a lost decade in the 1990s. Reviews highlight the box set as a significant addition to his discography, showcasing a range of genres and storytelling craftsmanship. The release coincides with his ongoing political engagement and large-scale concerts attracting tens of thousands of fans.

T-Pain has publicly questioned whether Drake is abiding by his own 2023 pledge to make a “graceful” retirement from music. Speaking on the Crash Dummies Podcast earlier in June, the Florida singer-rapper said Drake’s repeated releases and high-profile clashes showed he had become “the person he said he wouldn’t be,” adding that the comments prompted T-Pain himself to scale back his output.

Billboard on Thursday reported T-Pain’s remarks, which revisited Drake’s conversation with Lil Yachty two years ago in which the Toronto artist said he hoped to “gracefully bow out and not get kicked out” of the rap scene. Since that interview, Drake has issued the album “For All the Dogs,” engaged in a lyrical feud with Kendrick Lamar and collaborated with PARTYNEXTDOOR on “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.”

Drake responded on social media late Thursday, writing, “This guy always had resentment for me,” without addressing the substance of T-Pain’s criticism. Neither artist has announced new projects or retirement plans following the exchange.

Black Sabbath have entered rehearsals for their farewell show, “Back To The Beginning,” due on 5 July at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham. A photograph released on 25 June shows Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward together in the studio, confirming Ward’s first stage appearance with the group in twenty years. Guitarist Tony Iommi, absent from the image, is expected to complete the original line-up for what is billed as the band’s last performance.

Read more

Cardi B has unveiled details of her long-awaited second studio album, confirming the set is titled “Am I the Drama?” and will be released on 19 September. The Bronx-born rapper disclosed the news on social media, ending a seven-year wait since her 2018 debut, “Invasion of Privacy.”

According to a preliminary track list posted on streaming services, the new record will feature 23 songs, including her chart-topping singles “WAP,” “Up” and the recent “Outside.” The release positions Cardi B, 32, for another commercial run after she became the first solo woman to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album with her debut.

The announcement caps months of speculation about the follow-up project and sets a date for one of hip-hop’s most anticipated releases of the year. No additional guest features or production credits were disclosed.

Young Thug made his first live performance since being released from jail at the 2025 Summer Smash festival in Chicago. The event featured appearances by Travis Scott, T.I., and Ken Carson, who joined Young Thug on stage. During the performance, Young Thug engaged with the audience by crowd surfing. The comeback show was widely noted as a triumphant return, with multiple sources highlighting key moments from the set. Following this performance, Young Thug is scheduled to appear at ComplexCon 3025.

Haim, the Californian indie rock trio consisting of sisters Alana, Danielle, and Este Haim, released their fourth studio album, "I Quit," in June 2025, marking their first album in five years. Co-produced by Danielle Haim and Rostam Batmanglij, the album explores themes of romantic breakups, artistic separation, and the experience of being single. Critics have noted that "I Quit" pushes the band's sound in new directions, incorporating rootsier elements with raw, lo-fi drums and guitars, and drawing influences from 1960s rock acts like the Rolling Stones and the Band. The album has been described as a remix of the divorce-rock genre tailored for a generation cautious about marriage, with its songs moving from regret and second-guessing to feelings of relief and liberation.

The New York Times named it a Critic's Pick, highlighting its emotional depth and evolution from their previous work, "Women in Music Pt. III." Reviews from various outlets emphasize the album's dexterous songwriting, playful indie-rock sound, and the sisters' strong artistic cohesion without guest features. "I Quit" reflects a period when all three members were simultaneously single, adding a charged and celestial quality to the record's themes of love and loss.