Author: Amanda Collins

Leon Thomas headlined Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop LIVE concert at Webster Hall in New York City on Friday (Sept. 5). The fast-rising R&B star — who recently received the Breakthrough of the Year Award at Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players 2025 event — was one of several artists to take the stage at the free show. Presented by State Farm, Ralph Lauren and UnitedMasters, the packed event served as the centerpiece of Billboard’s Hip-Hop & R&B Week. The night’s lineup also featured GELO, Odeal, Ravyn Lenae and Armanii. “Billboard has always been at the forefront of recognizing and promoting emerging talent,” Billboard CEO…

When word got out that the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event would be taking over Webster Hall for a free concert on Friday (Sept. 5), New Yorkers from all walks of life consumed three blocks waiting — and hoping — to get inside. Those lucky enough to gain entry celebrated every second of the night, as DJ Ohso meticulously spun through hip-hop bangers, sultry afro tunes and a little bit of Paramore to keep the crowd energized, engaged and hungry for a showcase from Billboard‘s Rookies of the Year. Armanii kicked the night off with his signature blend of dancehall…

Bruce Loose, the singer and bassist with seminal US punk band Flipper, has died at the age of 66. The news was confirmed on the San Francisco band’s Facebook page on Friday (September 5). “After a prolonged struggle with life, Bruce ‘Loose’ Calderwood of Flipper passed away from an apparent heart attack earlier this week at the age of 66,” read a tribute. Calderwood joined Flipper shortly after they formed in 1979 and the band went on to become one of the defining acts of the West Coast underground punk scene of the era. They achieved cult status without gaining…

Dua Lipa brought out Chaka Khan for a duet of ‘Ain’t Nobody’ at her show in Chicago last night – watch below. The North American leg of her huge Radical Optimism World Tour kicked off in Toronto on Monday (September1), and on Friday, she rolled into Chicago’s United Center for the first of two nights. During the show, she introduced Chicago music legend Chaka Khan onto the stage and they launched into a version of the Grammy-winning 1983 single ‘Ain’t Nobody’, which Khan originally recorded with the funk band Rufus. Watch fan-captured footage here: Lipa has been playing songs by…

The fiancée of The 1975’s Matty Healy has shared footage of him shedding tears watching “his favourite artist” James Taylor. Gabbriette Bechtel, who has been engaged to the frontman since last summer, posted a video on TikTok on Friday (September 5) that showed Healy sitting in the audience at one of the legendary singer-songwriter’s recent US shows. In the post, which is captioned “took my fiancé to see his favorite artist”, Healy is seen singing along, dancing and applauding excitedly, and even tearing up during the performance. “Thank you so much for bringing me to this, I can’t believe that…

Lebanese-Canadian artist Raphaela returns with Bittersweet, an upbeat, tender pop ballad about love that doesn’t last but still changes you forever.  I am really enjoying the tone of Raphaela’s voice and how rich and passionate her delivery is, exuding so much soul and emotion from start to finish. Nostalgic, romantic, and achingly human, Bittersweet balances sadness with serenity, offering a portrait of love cherished for exactly what it was. An ode to acceptance, to letting go with grace, and to finding peace in impermanence, this track pairs Raphaela’s lovely vocals with touches of melancholia that soar effortlessly over the upbeat pop…

Nashville-based artist and songwriter SUANNA (formerly known as Suanna Lynn) shares her brand new single Bad Bad Secret, a darkly hypnotic single that blurs the line between confession and concealment.  Bad Bad Secret finds the talented artist stepping away from her country roots and fully embracing her new identity as a cinematic pop artist. Co-written with Annie Wildgen and produced by Brian Skeel, Bad Bad Secret invites listeners into the mind of a woman running from the truth—and from herself. This message is anchored by SUANNA’s rich, evocative vocals which effortlessly capture our attention from start to finish. Accompanying her gorgeous…

KPop Demon Hunters has shattered records once again. After becoming the most-watched film in Netflix history, standout track “Golden” went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart (for three weeks so far). As a film centered around K-pop, this is more than just a box-office milestone; it’s a landmark in the history of the genre itself. So why has this film resonated so strongly? This can be understood in the same context as K-pop’s global popularity. Throughout its evolution, K-pop has consistently maintained a balance between music, performance and choreography. Performance videos have become almost mandatory alongside K-pop music…

Green Day have shared the first trailer for their new road trip comedy film New Years Rev. Check it out below. READ MORE: Green Day – ‘Saviors’ review: their best work since ‘American Idiot’ The film was first announced back in February, with Variety reporting at the time that it was a road trip comedy produced by all three band members and directed by Lee Kirk. The band then put out a casting call for the film, asking for “punks, emo, hardcore, alternative and rocker young adults”. Now, they’ve shared the first teaser, which sees the band – called the Analog Dogs…

Sydney Sweeney has shed light on the prep she did to embody boxer Christy Martin in the new biopic Christy. READ MORE: Sydney Sweeney doesn’t get why you’re obsessed with her: “I’m just being me” The film charts the career of American boxer Martin, who rose to prominence as one of the most successful female athletes in the sport in the ‘90s and ‘00s, later enduring and surviving domestic violence and an attempt on her life by her husband and former trainer, who is portrayed by Ben Foster in the film. Speaking at the film’s premiere at the Toronto Film Festival…