Music

One of the questions raised by Taylor Swift’s recent single “Karma” is whether the titular force is something that can be, like, aggressively courted. And, if so, is writing out $100,000 bonus checks to one’s tour truck drivers a form of metaphysical insurance payment? These are the deep thoughts that may woozily cross your mind

Billie Eilish dedicated a passionate performance of hers and Labrnith’s “Never Felt So Alone” to the late Angus Cloud during her headlining set at Lollapalooza on Aug. 3. The track is one of the more popular singles to have come out of the HBO drama series in which Cloud portrayed a drug dealer named Fez.

On the heels of the sale of their award-winning rock documentary “Immediate Family” to Magnolia Pictures, film producer-musicians Greg Richling and Jonathan Sheldon have announced the launch of their production company Pfonetic and are unveiling a slate of music-driven film and television projects. The roster includes a long-in-the-works authorized documentary on the enormously influential but

Composer, singer and producer Arthur Verocai just might be the best Brazilian artist you never heard — though if you’re a hip-hop fan, you probably already have: sampled by MF Doom, Ludacris, Common, Schoolboy Q, Your Old Droog, Little Brother, Action Bronson and many more, his self-titled 1972 album is a crate-digger’s paradise, full of

Doja Cat has been announced as the headlining artist for “The Victoria’s Secret World Tour,” an event that will be half fashion show, half documentary on the brand’s reimagined runway show. In an interview announcing the event with Harper’s Bazaar, the publication confirmed Doja is actively working on new music and will be performing tracks

First-generation Liberian American sisters Massah David and Miatta Johnson founded the boutique PR agency MVD Inc. with the goal to amplify Black storytelling. With clients such as Universal Pictures, Netflix, Kanye West’s Donda, Essence Magazine and many more, the agency is at the intersection of television, film and music — with a strong focus on

Highly touted singer-songwriter Joy Olad0kun will headline the AB Block Party, a new Nashville festival taking place over Labor Day weekend at Hillsboro Village with a focus on diverse musicians from Tennessee and across the South. Taking place on September 4, the all-ages event will also feature performances by Daniel Nunnelee, Southern Avenue, Brooke Alexx,

The U.S. will not have seen the last of the Eras Tour next week after all. Taylor Swift will bring her stadium outing back to the United States and Canada in October and November… not of this year, but in 2024. Swift announced 15 more shows in four North American cities on Thursday morning, including

On Aug. 3, 2018, just weeks ahead of Mac Miller’s death on Sept. 7 at the age of 26, the rapper released his fifth studio album, “Swimming.” Across its 13 tracks, Miller entered a new melodic era that permeated with vulnerable confessions and paid tribute to his jazzy influences. Looking back five years after its

Carl Davis, the composer known for his BAFTA-winning score for “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981), died of a brain hemorrhage on Thursday. He was 86. Davis’ family issued a statement on social media, writing: “We are so proud that Carl’s legacy will be his astonishing impact on music. A consummate all-round musician, he was the

Lizzo has issued a response to the allegations made against her and her production company by three of her former dancers. Lizzo’s camp — this includes her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. (BGBT) and Shirlene Quigley, captain of Lizzo’s dance team — were accused of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment

NewJeans’s latest release, the six-song EP “Get Up,” becomes the Korean all-female group’s first No. 1 and first-ever entry on the albums chart with the equivalent of 126,500 albums sold in the United States. With 500 more units, the soundtrack to Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” blockbuster would’ve logged a tie for the top slot. “Barbie the

Originally a teen rapper as half of the duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, New York City Andre Harrell started his career at Def Jam, but soon launched Uptown Records. Perhaps it was his sales background, but more than his contemporaries, Harrell injected lifestyle into his operations, propelling “ghetto-fabulous” from a mantra into a corporate

Bronx-born Chris Lighty founded Violator Management with Mona Scott-Young in 1996 — and within months they had one of the most powerful firms in the hip-hop business, with a roster that grew to include 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. During those years, Lighty negotiated 50

Nigerian superstar Adekunle Gold is experiencing a renaissance of sorts. He’s just announced a North American tour, is celebrating a freshly inked deal with Def Jam and is reaping the fruits of his latest release “Tequila Ever After” — Gold’s debut album on the label. “One thing that I’ve always done is just focus on

Sophia Nahli Allison, whose short film “A Love Song for Latasha” (2019) was nominated at the Oscars for best documentary short subject, revealed on her social media pages that she exited her role as the director of a Lizzo documentary in 2019 after only two weeks because she “was treated with such disrespect” by the

Scott-Young got her start managing the production team the Trackmasters, who introduced the young exec to Chris Lighty. Together, they co-founded the mighty management vehicle Violator and made history guiding the careers of some of hiphop’s hottest stars, including 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott. Next finding her footing in TV,

It’s a busy week for Ciara. The music superstar is not only making her debut as the face of the new Gap and LoveShackFancy collection alongside her kids — son Future, 9, and daughter Sienna, 6 — but the “Level Up” singer tells me exclusively that she’ll be dropping a new song any minute. “I

In the weeks after Matty Healy’s controversial behavior at the Good Vibes Festival got the festival canceled by Malaysian authorities, English rock band Muse has revealed why they chose to alter their setlist during their Malaysian tour stop. In case you missed it, Healy outwardly expressed his distaste for the Malaysian government’s anti-LGBTQ laws while

Lizzo and her production company are being accused of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment by a trio of the team’s former dancers, according to a legal complaint filed Tuesday. The lawsuit, independently viewed by Variety, was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Lizzo (real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson), her production company

UPDATED: Olivia Rodrigo has revealed the full tracklist for her sophomore album, “Guts,” which will be released on Sept. 8 via Geffen Records. “All American Bitch” “Bad Idea Right?” “Vampire” “Lacy” “Ballad of a Homeschool Girl” “Making the Bed” “Logical” “Get Him Back” “Love Is Embarrassing” The Grudge” “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” “Teenage Dream” The news

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has announced its new A2IM Artist Pro program, which includes access to health insurance and multiple other benefits. The program, with annual membership dues of $99, provides access to the A2IM Benefits Store, which includes health insurance programs and an array of a la carte insurance options, including dental, vision, personal items

Wilco is gearing up to release its 13th studio album, “Cousin,” on Sept. 29. The album comes via dBpm Records and will be the first release under the label’s new distribution arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment. The Jeff Tweedy-led alt-rock outfit made the announcement while unveiling the album’s lead single, “Evicted,” a melancholy acoustic track

Britpop is back – and so are Blur. The reunited mainstay of the ‘90s movement that ruled the U.K. charts and led to the wider ‘Cool Britannia’ movement — ahem, with Oasis, of course — recently played their biggest shows ever at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium. But proof that it’s not just about nostalgia arrived

Karol G is celebrating the launch of her first stadium tour across the United States with the release of a new surprise album titled “Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season),” set to arrive on streaming platforms the same day her trek starts on Aug. 11. News of “Bichota Season” was revealed with a 30-second video trailer

Premier Music Group has recruited the music supervision services of George Drakoulias, the music supervisor behind the blockbuster “Barbie” soundtrack and score. The project featured original material from Mark Ronson, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Karol G, Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj, among numerous others. Drakoulias joins the firm’s leadership team as a partner and creative

Cardi B has allegedly been caught in the center of a battery case after she threw a microphone at an audience member during her appearance at Drai’s Nightclub in Las Vegas on July 29. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department confirmed a battery had been reported by a woman just one day after the altercation

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Sinead O’Connor’s 2021 memoir “Rememberings” has jumped to to the top of bestseller lists following the beloved pop star’s death last week. The Irish singer, best known for her hit single “Nothing Compares 2

Irish singer and legendary “Live Aid” leader Bob Geldof showed that he’s lost none of his eloquence in paying tribute to Sinead O’Connor, who died Wednesday at the age of 56, during a concert at Ireland’s Cavan Festival on Saturday. More than just pop-star acquaintances, Geldof said he was “very good friends” with both Sinead

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Lady Gaga is returning to the Great American Songbook, adding 12 more dates to her “Jazz & Piano” Las Vegas residency later this year. The revived run of shows, which Gaga first debuted in