Music

New York’s own Hot 97 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at the musical heart of the genre’s birthplace: Madison Square Garden. The celebration, currently scheduled for Sept. 15, will be hosted by special guests Mariah Carey and Maxwell, two artists who exemplify hip-hop‘s extended influence beyond the realm of rap. Wu-Tang Clan, Mary J. Blige, EPMD, Tyrese, and Sean Paul will be the night’s stars. The event’s performance line-up somewhat covers the genre’s bases, intertwining pop, R&B, and dancehall. New York radio veteran DJ Funkmaster Flex will curate...

Welcome to the Gayle show! On Monday, the “Abcdefu” singer announced her fall Scared and Trying Tour — her first time on the road on her own after opening for both Taylor Swift and Pink in the last few months. In an Instagram post, Gayle said opening for both stars was some of “the most exciting and terrifying moments of my life” and that she’d be so scared to get on stage that she’d get nauseous before performing. “But no matter how I felt, I would try and do it...

A few hours before midnight on Friday, Taylor Swift surprised the audience at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where she was kicking off a three-night stint of her Eras tour, by welcoming rapper Ice Spice to the stage. The two women performed their new collaborative version of “Karma” together for the first time live. Swift and Ice Spice sashayed hand in hand as they sang the new release. “Thank you New Jersey, give it up for Ice Spice!” the Midnights singer yelled at the end of the performance as confetti fell...

Scotty McCreery has earned a very special honor from his home state: The country star has been selected as one of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame's class of 2023 inductees.The Garner, N.C. native shared the news with fans on Friday afternoon (May 26) through a post on his social media pages."I am honored to be announced today as a 2023 inductee into the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame!!!," McCreery writes on social media. "Congrats to my fellow inductees and their families!"Singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, funk pioneer Bill Curtis, genre-bending band Fetchin Bones,...

Big Freedia, the New Orleans bounce icon, is back with a new song, “Bigfoot,” which will appear on her first proper album in nine years, Central City, out June 23 via Queen Diva Music. “Bigfoot” makes for a booming announcement as Freedia stomps all over the competition and delirious, speaker-rattling beat. “Call me Bigfoot stepping on these bitches necks,” Freedia declares on the hook, “I got a big foot but I’m getting bigger checks/They don’t see what’s coming next/You already know the rest/I got a big foot stepping on these...

It's official! Blake Shelton is the GOAT of The Voice. Most would argue the title of Greatest of All Time has been his for years, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you get the recognition of other GOATs.That's what happened on the Season 23 finale — and Shelton's last episode — of the reality singing competition series on Tuesday (May 23). The winningest coach was honored by others who are masters of their crafts: Dolly Parton, Peyton Manning, Jimmie Johnson, Wayne Gretzky and more.Legendary sports broadcaster Al Michaels kicked...

More Snow, More Lana "You asked for it, we listened," Swift said of Midnights redo Swifties demanded more Lana Del Rey on their Midnights collaboration “Snow on the Beach,” and Taylor Swift has delivered with the release of the Midnights (Til Dawn Edition) deluxe album. When Midnights initially dropped in October, fans were taken aback by how little Del Rey actually appeared on the much-anticipated duet, as she essentially took on the role of background vocalist. On the Midnights deluxe edition, Del Rey is pushed into the spotlight. “You asked for...

Jana Kramer is making things official with her Scottish soccer coach boyfriend Allan Russell: The couple are engaged after six-and-a-half months of dating.Kramer announced her news on an episode of her Whine Down podcast on Thursday (May 25), and also shared some details about how the proposal went down. Russell opted for a sweet, close-to-home proposal that included Kramer's two children, 7-year-old daughter Jolie and 4-year-old son Jace."He took me and the kids, he was like, 'It's a beautiful night, let's go for a walk and walk up to the...

Icons & Influences "We lost an icon," Lizzo told the audience at her recent concert in Phoenix, Arizona Lizzo knows how to command a stage — but she learned from watching the best. At her latest Special tour stop in Phoenix, Arizona, the singer paid tribute to Tina Turner, who died on May 24 at the age of 83. Shining in a sequin blue and green dress with a head of wild curls, Lizzo performed the opening verse of “Proud Mary” before stripping away the bottom of the dress to...

Dolly Parton is remembering the life and legacy of a fellow musical legend. Rock and soul titan Tina Turner, who was one of the most successful recording artists of any genre ever, died on Wednesday (May 24) at the age of 83.Parton was among the artists to post a social media tribute to Turner, and in her post, the country star tipped her hat to one of Turner's most memorable songs, "Proud Mary.""Now she's rollin' rollin' rollin on to glory," Parton wrote in her remembrance. "Roll on Tina. We will...

Tina Turner didn’t just pull off the greatest comeback in music history — she invented the whole concept of the comeback as we know it. She became a solo superstar when she was 44. Things like that simply don’t happen. That’s how old Brandy, Usher, Adam Levine, Lance Bass, and John Legend are right now. At that age, Tina Turner was just beginning. Turner, who died Wednesday at 83, carried the whole story of American music in her voice, because in so many ways, she was that story, but she...

The Cadillac Three’s latest song "This Town Is a Ghost" serves as a moving remembrance of frontman Jaren Johnston's father, Jerry Ray Johnston, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 65. The track is a heartfelt and relatable reflection on the loss of a loved one, and how their memory lingers on, even in the most unexpected moments.Jerry Ray worked within the country music industry for over 40 years, moving to Nashville from his home state of Louisiana in pursuit of his dreams. He became a member of the country...