Music: Last News

Naman Ramachandran Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Ankur Tewari’s label Tiger Baby Records has joined forces with Sony Music Entertainment India in a strategic partnership to foster emerging talent and connect artists with audiences and brands on a global scale. Tiger Baby Records, founded by acclaimed Indian filmmakers Akhtar and Kagti and singer-songwriter-music supervisor Tewari, has already carved a niche in India’s music landscape as a creative hub for indie and homegrown talent.

Chappell Roan has reflected on setting boundaries with her friends and why she thinks “people are scared” of her.Last year, Roan’s feelings about fame consistently made headlines, with her comparing it to “an abusive ex-husband”. In an interview with The Face, the former NME Cover star vented about the normalisation of extreme fan behaviour including “stalking, talking shit online, [people who] won’t leave you alone, yelling at you in public.” She added: “I didn’t know it would feel this bad.”Prior to that, she had taken to TikTok to share her thoughts on “weird” and “creepy” followers, calling out the “predatory behaviour” of so-called “superfans” that includes “nonconsensual physical and social interactions”.Her statements have since been applauded by celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Stevie Nicks, Rachel Zegler, and Daniel Craig, the latter saying he admires “the guts to say those things”.

It’s official – Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak are dating!

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Johnny Mathis is retiring from live performance at age 89, due to “age and memory issues, which have accelerated,” his Facebook account announced Wednesday. The declaration said that Mathis would still a handful of upcoming dates, with his final concert now being scheduled for May 18 at the Bergan Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.

Murtada Elfadl “The Encampments” could hardly be opening on a more timely date. The documentary, which chronicles the encampments at Columbia from the students’ perspective, will hit New York theaters three days after its premiere at CPH:DOX, then expand to Los Angeles a week later. In the lead-up to the film’s international screening, two of its protagonists, both students at Columbia University, landed on the front pages of many newspapers: Mahmoud Khalil, arrested by ICE for protesting against the war in Gaza, and Grant Miner, who was expelled by Columbia for the same reason.

Billy Joel will premiere on HBO this summer.Titled Billy Joel: And So It Goes, the new doc is directed by Susan Lacy – who created PBS’ American Masters series and has previously helmed HBO docs such as docs Jane Fonda in Five Acts, and Spielberg – and Jessica Levin, who produced those projects as well as The Janes.Per the longline, the upcoming doc will examine the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. It includes access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with one-on-one interviews.Lacy said of the project (via Deadline): “For those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise.

Sky News, it’s predicted that cuts to welfare will mean 250,000 more people will be pushed into poverty by 2030.The health element of Universal Credit will be cut in half for new claimants and then frozen. There will also be a renewed focus on taking action against tax evaders, and an increase in defence spending, with The Ministry of Defence getting an additional £2.2bn next year.Elsewhere, there were assurances that the cuts announced today would be offset by billions of pounds in long-term investment to grow the economy, with focus on building new homes and supporting higher spending on defence.

FKA Twigs has postponed three shows on her Eusexua tour after failing to secure a visa in time to perform. Four of the six affected shows — due to take place in Chicago, Toronto, and New York — have been rescheduled already.

After a leaving the spotlight for 10 years following a traumatic incident, singer Duffy has hinted at a possible return to the music scene, much to the delight of her loyal fans.The Warwick Avenue songstress was recently spotted for the first time in ten years, making an unexpected appearance on TikTok. She was promoting DJ and producer Emotion's remix of her chart-topping track, 'Mercy'.

Duffy has teased her return to music, with a new UK Garage remix of her hit ‘Mercy’ following her previous kidnapping ordeal.In a TikTok clip shared by Emotion HQ’s account, the Welsh singer is seen lip-syncing to a remix of her 2008 hit track. The remix appears to be a collaboration between Duffy and a group called E.motionThe caption of the clip read: “Some of you asked if Duffy was really doing a UK Garage remix with us… #duffy #newmusic #ElectronicMusic #ukgarage #dancemusic #remix,” teasing that the track will be released at some point soon.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Daniel Nigro, Grammy-winning producer-cowriter for Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo (and Variety’s Hitmakers 2024 producer of the year) has struck an expanded partnership for his Amusement Records label with Universal Music Group. Under the new agreement, Amusement will operate as a central label venture within UMG, with new artist signings able to partner across UMG’s iconic global family of labels, according to the announcement.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor YouTube has set the date for its 2025 Brandcast event — during the TV industry’s upfront week in New York City — and it’s bringing pop star Lady Gaga and top creators like MrBeast and Brittany Broski out for the show. The YouTube invitation-only upfront presentation will be held Wednesday, May 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. ET at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Zendaya is taking on an iconic role.

Emilia, Nicki Nicole and TINI are heating things up!

EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian startup Creele Animation Studios has unveiled first images and details for its upcoming 3D short Sopo, inspired by the early life of revered late Afrobeat star Fela Kuti.

Playboi Carti is taking over in 2025.

Amazon's Spring Deal Days sale is well under way, with the retail giant reducing several of its beloved Echo speakers in the process.

Celebrity Big Brother star Donny Tourette looks unrecognisable nearly 18 years since his reality TV stint.The singer appeared on the show in 2007 and is best known as the lead singer of Towers of London. Donny, 44, made headlines during his time on CBB, as he exited the house just three days into the series. He opted to depart the show after he became aware that Jade Goody and some of her relatives, including mum Jackiey Budden, were due to arrive in the house.

Popular boyband JLS - who formed on X-Factor back in 2006 - have announced 16-date UK tour later this year.

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer FKA Twigs has postponed shows in three cities—Chicago, Toronto, and New York—on her current Eusexua tour after her production failed to complete the proper paperwork to secure visas. In a post on TikTok, the singer explained that the European tour dates for her third album, which was released in January, have been a creatively fulfilling experience thus far, but it’s been “challenging” on the production side, which led to the cancellation and postponement of shows in the United States.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic So, you say you like melodies? Putting your priorities there may consign you to minority status among 2025’s wider bloc of pop fans. But for the sonorously starved among us, a bit of manna from a more euphonious heaven has arrived in the form of “What the World Needs Now: The Burt Bacharach Songbook Live in Concert,” a multi-artist outing whose generous setlists are, fortunately, as long-winded as the tour’s title.