On Wednesday (January 15), the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival revealed its stacked 2025 lineup. The celebrated music festival will feature high-profile headlining sets from Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, hometown rap superstar Lil Wayne performing with The Roots, Lenny Kravitz, Kacey Musgraves, John Fogerty, Luke Combs, Santana, and Burna Boy. New Orleans Jazz Fest 2025 is set to take place over eight days this spring – from April 24th-27th and May 1st-4th – at the Fair Grounds Race Course in the Big Easy. The rest of the lineup includes notable acts like HAIM, Cage the Elephant, My Morning Jacket, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Kamasi Washington, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Harry Connick Jr., Margo Price, Irma Thomas, Branford Marsalis, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Morris Day & the Time, James Bay, Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, and many more. Tickets to both weekends of the festival are on sale now. (Consequence of Sound)

On Wednesday (January 15), the Recording Academy announced significant changes to its annual Grammy Week festivities. The Academy canceled most industry events leading up to the awards show on Sunday, February 2, while shifting the focus of the remaining events towards raising relief efforts for the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. “We understand how devastating this past week has been on this city and its people,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement. “This is our home, it’s home to thousands of music professionals, and many of us have been negatively impacted. Grammy Week 2025 will not just be about honoring music, it will be about using the power of music to help rebuild, uplift and support those in need.” The Academy confirmed that the MusiCares Person of the Year Charity Gala honoring the Grateful Dead will take place as scheduled, with MusiCares already raising $2 million in wildfire relief funds. Clive Davis’ annual Pre-Grammys Gala will also now be a fundraising event. (Rolling Stone)

The music data tracking company Luminate announced on Wednesday (January 15) that Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department was the most popular album of 2024 in the U.S. This marks the third time in Swift’s career that she has topped Luminate’s year-end list, after previously claiming the top album in 2014 with 1989 and in 2009 with Fearless. Luminate also shared that the most-streamed song by on-demand audio streams was Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” while the most-heard song on the radio was Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.” Luminate’s year-end figures also revealed that total music consumption in the U.S. – measured by audio equivalent album units – increased by 5.6% in 2024.

The Top 10 Albums of 2024 in the U.S.(by total equivalent album units) is rounded out by Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time at No. 2, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet at No. 3, SZA’s SOS at No. 4, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft at No. 5, Noah Kahan’s Stick Season at No. 6, Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess at No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album at No. 8, Zach Bryan’s  Zach Bryan at No. 9, and Future & Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You at No. 10. (Billboard)

An upcoming benefit show called L.A. Gives Back: Fire Relief was announced on Wednesday (January 15), supporting the ongoing relief efforts in the Los Angeles area. The benefit show is scheduled to take place on January 29 at The Bellwether, a 1,600-capacity independent music venue in downtown Los Angeles. The event – whose lineup will be announced in the coming weeks – is being organized by IHEARTCOMIX, Brownies & Lemonade, Another Planet Entertainment (which owns The Bellwether), and Teragram. All funds raised from the event will go towards charities supporting victims of the fire, along with first responders and animals.

“The devastation Los Angeles has endured the past week from these wildfires made it clear we had to do something,” said Brownies & Lemonade, a company who organizes electronic dance events in the area. “L.A. Gives Back has been our longstanding event series focused on providing aid to our city and we’re so happy to bring it back for this crucial moment to provide wildfire relief for our city.” (Billboard) 

On Tuesday (January 14), Céline Dion took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late husband René Angélil on the ninth anniversary of his death. The Canadian singer shared a Christmastime photograph of herself surrounded by their three sons, while she affectionately remembered Angélil, who died of throat cancer in 2016 at the age of 73. “René, we can’t believe you’ve been gone nine years already,” Dion wrote. “Not a day goes by that we don’t feel your presence, RC, Eddy, Nelson and I. You were my greatest champion, my partner, and the one who always saw the best in me. I honor you and you are forever missed mon amour…. We love you.” Dion retreated from the public spotlight in recent years following her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome in 2022, but she delivered a triumphant performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony last summer, singing Édith Piaf’s “The Hymn to Love” from the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (January 15), Drake sued Universal Music Group over their role in releasing and publicizing Kendrick Lamar‘s diss track “Not Like Us.” The Canadian rap superstar filed a defamation and harassment lawsuit against UMG – the record company behind both rappers – claiming in an 81-page complaint that the media conglomerate “unleashed every weapon in its arsenal” in their publicity campaign to turn Kendrick’s diss-track of Drake into a “viral hit.” The suit claims the song was “intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile.” Drake makes clear that he is not suing Lamar over his song, noting that the lawsuit “is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us,’” and that his legal action is “entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood were not only false, but dangerous.” (Rolling Stone)

The Governors Ball announced their festival lineup on Tuesday (January 14), which features headlining sets from Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier over the course of the three-day music fest in New York this summer. Governors Ball 2025 is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Tyler, the Creator leads Friday’s lineup, joined by Benson Boone, Mk.gee, T-Pain, Tyla, Role Model, the Backseat Lovers, JPegMafia and more. Rodrigo gets top billing on Saturday, where she will be joined by Feid, Conan Gray, Young Miko, Wallows, Marina, Mariah the Scientist, Car Seat Headrest, Artemas, and more. Hozier leads the Sunday lineup, alongside Mt. Joy, Clairo, Raye, Royel Otis, The Japanese House, Amaarae, and more. Ticket pre-sale starts at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday (January 16), with general on-sale starting at 11 a.m. that day. (Billboard) 

Doja Cat announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that she has teamed up with the American Red Cross to design a line of merchandise benefiting the charity’s fire relief efforts in L.A. The music superstar was born and raised in the L.A. area, and is doing her part to provide support for those affected by the devastating fires throughout the region. “Please help me and @americanredcross support my beautiful state of California,” Doja Cat wrote, alongside a post featuring t-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with her designs. “I teamed up with artist @pini and designed a small collection of hoodies and tees on sale now - 100% of proceeds go to American Red Cross to support the people of California affected by the wildfires.” The artist Pini wrote on Instagram, “LA has been my home for the last ten years, to see the destruction of these fires over the last couple of days has been devastating.” (Billboard) 

Janet Jackson has announced that she will be extending her Las Vegas residency by adding six more shows to her stay at Resorts World Theatre. After Jackson’s previous residency debuted with a sold-out run over New Year’s week at the end of 2024, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas will return with six additional shows in the spring of 2025. The 5-time Grammy winning singer will once again be performing at Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas during her newly announced residency dates on May 21, 24, 25, 28, 30, and 31. These shows join Jackson’s previously announced 2025 Vegas residency dates on February 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, and 15.

“There’s no better way to kick off the new year than with the return of Janet Jackson in her exclusive residency at the award-winning Resorts World Theatre,” commented Bobby Reynolds, senior vp of AEG Presents Las Vegas. “We look forward to having her showcase her unparalleled talents in a total of 12 more performances through this May.” (Billboard) 

The Weeknd announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that he has postponed the release of his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, and has cancelled his upcoming Rose Bowl Stadium concert due to the wildfires that are devastating the Los Angeles area. The release date for his highly-anticipated record has been pushed back from January 24 to January 31. The Weeknd’s one-night-only stadium show in Pasadena, California, scheduled for the day after the album’s release on January 25, has been cancelled entirely. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, said the decision to cancel his show was reached “out of respect and concern for the people of Los Angeles County.” A new date for the Rose Bowl concert has not been announced. “This city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” Tesfaye wrote. “My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild.” (Rolling Stone)

On Christmas Day, while she was headlining the halftime show of the Houston Texans football game, Beyoncé took to Instagram to tease a major announcement that she had planned for January 14. However, due to the ongoing fires throughout the Los Angeles area, Bey announced on Instagram on Monday (January 13) that she has decided to postpone her big reveal out of respect to the victims of the catastrophe. “The January 14th announcement will be postponed until a later date due to the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires around areas of Los Angeles,” Beyoncé wrote. “I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss. We are so blessed to have brave first responders who continue to work tirelessly to protect the Los Angeles community.” She encouraged people to “join our efforts in supporting those impacted,” sharing a link to her BeyGood charity foundation, which donated $2.5 million to the the LA Fire Relief Fund on Monday. (Rolling Stone)  

Usher has announced that he is joining Audible‘s Words + Music series with The Last Showman, which will featured the music superstar reflecting back on his successful 30 year career in music. The audio program will find the eight-time Grammy winning R&B singer sharing insight into his chart-topping albums, the inspirations behind his hit songs, as well as the setbacks he experienced along the way to music stardom. “With the recent 20th anniversary of Confessions, creating The Last Showman has been an incredible opportunity to reflect on the most pivotal moments of my career with fresh eyes and deep appreciation,” Usher said in a press statement. “This project isn’t just about telling my story; it’s about sharing the raw, unfiltered truth behind the music that’s connected with generations of listeners, as well as the power of vulnerability in art.” Usher’s The Last Showman will premiere exclusively via Audible on February 6. (Billboard)

Bad Bunny shared a tour teaser trailer on Instagram on Monday (January 13) to announce the dates and details of his upcoming residency in his home of Puerto Rico. Benito’s 21-date residency will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, and will get underway on July 11. To ensure locals get priority for the residency, the first nine shows are exclusively available only to residents of Puerto Rico. The residency will take place every weekend – running from Friday to Sunday – between July 11 and August 24, and will feature tracks from Bad Bunny’s Billboard No. 2 charting new album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos – which he calls his “most Puerto Rican album ever” – along with reggaeton hits from his previous seven Top 10 charting albums. Tickets for the “resident only” shows go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time on Jan. 15, while ticket pre-sales for registered fans begins at 10 a.m. AST on January 17. (Variety)

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars hit collaboration “Die With a Smile” spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With the chart-topping success of “Die With a Smile,” Gaga joins Janet and Michael Jackson as the only artists with multiple Hot 100 No. 1s in three different decades, as Gaga now boasts two leaders each in the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s. Following its New Year’s Eve release, Morgan Wallen’s “Smile” jumps from No. 27 to No. 4 in its second week on the Hot 100 chart, becoming the country star’s 12th Top 10 of his record-setting career.

Elsewhere in the Top 10, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” remains at No. 2, Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” sticks at No. 3, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” holds at No. 5, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” drops two places to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” stays at No. 7, Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” drops two places to No. 8, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Wallen, falls a spot to No. 9, and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” slides a slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Sunday (January 12), Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD charity foundation announced that it is donating $2.5 million to the newly-established LA Fire Relief Fund. Beyoncé previously founded BeyGOOD back in 2013 in order to “provide resources worldwide” while assisting people with economic disparities, supporting non-profits in marginalized communities, and providing relief resources and educational scholarships. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the BEYGOOD foundation stated on Instagram. In addition to her charitable donation, Beyoncé is also apparently planning on making an announcement of her own on Tuesday (January 14). The 32-time Grammy winning singer teased a big revelation coming this week in a Christmas day Instagram post, although it’s unclear exactly what she intends to announce, or if she’ll delay her plans due to the L.A. fires. (Rolling Stone)

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. announced on Monday (January 13) that the 2025 Grammy Awards will proceed as planned on February 2. Mason Jr. sent out a letter to Academy members assuring them that the ceremony will take place as scheduled at Crypto.com Arena early next month, even as Los Angeles deals with the devastation due to the ongoing wildfires. Mason Jr. wrote that this year’s Grammys will take place “in close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources.” Mason Jr. pledges that the 2025 Grammys “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.” Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have both announced that they have cancelled their annual Grammy parties, donating their allocated money and resources towards fire relief efforts instead. (Rolling Stone)

On Friday, Julia Michaels and Maren Morris release their new collaborative single, “Scissors,” and the accompanying provactive music video directed by Blythe Thomas. The break-up track captures the end of a relationship, but Michaels and Morris’ creative partnership is still going strong. “Scissors” marks the second time that Michaels and Morris have teamed up, after the pair previously worked together on “Cut,” which was released last June. “It was just a wonderful and silly coincidence when these duets came together,” Michaels says, with Morris adding, “They were separate entities, but it felt like cosmic divinity that the titles mirrored each other.” Both music stars have experienced very public splits in recent years, with Morris filing for divorces from Ryan Hurd in 2023 after five years of marriage, while Michaels split with her boyfriend of four years, JP Saxe, back in 2022. "Not everything ends in heartbreak, but sometimes apathy and a lightheartedness which sorely needs representation in breakup songs!" Morris says. (Rolling Stone)

During a red carpet interview at the Golden Globes, Trent Reznor surprised everyone with his choice for his favorite song of 2024. The industrial music legend was being interviewed by the Los Angeles alternative radio station 98.7 when he revealed that Sabrina Carpenter’s smash hit “Espresso” was his pick for song of the year. Reznor and his longtime collaborator Atticus Ross went on to win a Golden Globe that night for Best Original Score for their work on the Challengers soundtrack, and the duo are on the shortlist for both Best Original Score and Best Original Song at the 2025 Academy Awards. Reznor’s choice of “Espresso” as his song of 2024 continues his recent embrace of pop music. During an appearance on Rick Rubin’s podcast, Tetragrammaton, last summer, Reznor said he was moved to tears while hearing his daughter sing along to Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.” “It really reminded me of the art of writing a well-crafted song,” Reznor said, praising Lipa’s hit tune as “a really well-done piece of music.” (Consequence of Sound)

Lil Baby’s new release, WHAM, debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart. This marks the fourth consecutive chart-topping record from the Atlanta rapper, and his seventh Top 10 album of his career. Another notable release on the current Billboard 200 chart is Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS debuting at No. 2, becoming the international music superstar’s seventh Top 10-charting record. Benito’s album was released on an off-cycle Sunday (January 5), still reaching No. 2 with only five days of activity. This week’s Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS which drops two places to No. 3, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX slides down two spots to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet slips two slots to No. 5, the Wicked film soundtrack falls two places to No. 6, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft drops two spots to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 8, Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us sticks at No. 9, and Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA holds at No. 10. (Billboard)

Legendary Public Enemy emcee Chuck D took to Instagram on Friday (January 10) to voice his displeasure that people were insensitively misusing his band’s volatile 1990 song, “Burn Hollywood Burn” amid the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. Some social media users have been celebrating the city’s destruction by using PE’s protest anthem to soundtrack their posts, and Chuck clearly wasn’t pleased. The rapper clarified that “Burn Hollywood Burn” has roots in the Watts Rebellion and is inspired by the Magnificent Montague’s 1965 statement against inequality. “We made mind revolution songs aimed at a one sided exploitation by a industry. Has nothing to do with families, losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history. Godspeed to those in loss," Chuck wrote. He sympathetically captioned his post, “PRAY 4 LA🙏🏾,” and lashed out at malicious social media users in the comments, writing, “Please don’t use our song on your reels and pictures of this horrifying natural disaster.” (People)