A new study from the global ticketing marketplace viagogo has revealed the highest selling and most in demand Black musicians over the past year. The study analyzed recent ticket sales data, which found that 19 of the 25 highest-selling Black live performers of 2024 are either hip-hop or hip-hop-adjacent acts. Travis Scott tops the list due to his record-breaking Circus Maximus Tour, which earned over $150 million. The top five was rounded out by Usher, Akon, Bryson Tiller, and Ne-Yo, with Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, PartyNextDoor, Childish Gambino, and Nas all placing in the top 25. Minaj landed at No. 8 in the rankings, making her the highest-selling Black female artist of the year due to her Pink Friday 2 World Tour earning over $100 million. Also featured on the list are Janet Jackson (who placed 15th), Doja Cat (19th), and SZA (21st), as well as RAYE (17th) and Mariah Carey (20th). (Consequence of Sound)

Cher made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (November 18) to discuss her new book, Cher, The Memoir: Part One, which hit shelves on Tuesday. The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee said that writing her memoir was a challenge for her, but it was important for the entertainment icon to tell her own story. “It was hard,” Cher revealed. “It’s not going through your life that’s hard so much. It’s hard because when you’re telling your life there’s parts you’d like to guard.” The memoir documents the singer’s early life and rise to fame, including her fraught marriage to Sonny Bono, and forming the chart-topping husband-and-wife duo, Sonny & Cher. Jimmy Fallon asked her towards the end of the interview, “Could there be another album? Would you do another one?” with Cher confirming, “I’m about to.” (Rolling Stone)

Dua Lipa previously announced that her performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall back on October 17 was being turned into a TV special, An Evening With Dua Lipa, which will air on CBS and Paramount+ on December 15. On Tuesday (November 19), the pop superstar took to Instagram to reveal that she is releasing that show as her first live album, Dua Lipa Live From The Royal Albert Hall, which drops on December 6. In addition to a duet with Elton John on “Cold Heart,” the show features Lipa performing her hits backed by the Heritage Orchestra, a 14-person choir, and a 7-piece band.  “For the longest time, I’ve had this idea to reimagine my music with an orchestra,” Lipa said in a statement. “When The Royal Albert Hall show came up, it presented itself as the perfect opportunity to not only reconstruct these songs, but also celebrate them in such a beautiful and intimate way.” (Billboard) 

After serving double-duty on Saturday Night Live as the show’s host and musical guest, Charli XCX turned Times Square into a dance club on Monday (November 19) by delivering a surprise pop-up performance at the H&M that brought out thousands of fans. The neon billboards in Times Square were lit up in Brat green for the occasion, as Charli performed in a small shop window of the store above the huge crowd while the music played over loudspeakers. Charli previously teased that she had a surprise planned for New York City after wrapping up her SNL gig, and the pop superstar shared the free show announcement in an Instagram video shortly before she hit the stage, “I’m performing live today in Times Square at 6:30 p.m. so don’t miss out if you’re in New York.” Charli performed a 5-song set featuring “365,” “360,” “Von Dutch,” “Apple,” and “Guess,” all taken from her Grammy Album of the Year nominee, Brat. (Rolling Stone) 

A new trailer was released for A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter on Monday night (November 19), and the clip revealed a host of big name special guests who will be joining the chart-topping pop superstar during her holiday special. Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, and Kali Uchis will be the musical guests joining Carpenter for some unique Christmas duets, while Quinta Brunson, Cara Delevingne, Kyle Mooney, Nico Hiraga, Megan Stalter, Sean Astin, Owen Thiele, and Jillian Bell will make appearances during scripted sketches. “It’s a nonsense holiday and we’re so here for it,” Netflix wrote in a press release. “In this special with musical guests, pop icon Sabrina Carpenter will perform songs from her holiday EP ‘fruitcake’ and other iconic chart-topping holiday covers.” A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter will begin streaming on Netflix on December 6. (Variety)

K-pop sensation Stray Kids just announced dates for their 2025 world tour. The boy band is set to perform 20 shows throughout Latin America, North America, and Europe next year as part of their <dominATE> World Tour, which represents Stray Kids’ first full stadium tour of their career. The tour kicks off on March 28 at the Estadio Bicentenario La Florida in Santiago, Chile, before hitting up stadiums in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Lima, and Mexico City. The North American leg of the <dominATE> World Tour launches on May 24 in Seattle, followed by high-profile stadium shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Arlington, Atlanta, Orlando, New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago, before finishing up on June 29 at Rogers Stadium in Toronto. The European leg of the <dominATE> World Tour starts on July 11 in Amsterdam, and comes to a close on July 26 at the Stade de France in Paris. (Billboard)

New Edition have extended their successful live residency at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas into 2025. The chart-topping R&B group announced new dates for their New Edition: Las Vegas residency with an Instagram video on Monday (November 18), revealing a run of six new shows on February 12, 14-15, 19, 21-22, which includes notable performances on Valentine’s Day weekend. These new dates follow New Edition’s 15 sold-out performances during its first residency at the Encore that began in February of 2024. The vocal group – which features Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill – promises, “Six incredible nights of timeless music and classic showmanship, as we perform some of your favorite songs for the first time ever on the Encore Theater stage. We look forward to returning to the stage in 2025, to making new memories and to sharing all that we have in store for our fans.” (Billboard)

Madonna took to Instagram on Monday (November 18) to express frustration with the producers behind Universal’s long-awaited biopic of the Queen of Pop. Madonna has invested four years of her life working on the film, and she revealed that people are trying to reign in her passion project and “downsize” the work. “After struggling for days in LA, listening to producers and agents tell me why I couldn’t make my film,” Madonna writes. “Downsize–downscale–think smaller they say—I realized that everything in my life is going to be challenged.” The seven-time Grammy winner says these interactions are forcing her “to think outside the box” while pushing herself “to be even more fearless.” She goes on to question if her life story could be better told in a TV series than a movie. “We cannot shrink and make ourselves smaller,” Madge writes. “Should I make the story of my life into a series or a feature film.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Ed Sheeran just shared his thoughts on the unauthorized use of his voice on the 40th anniversary version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in a since-expired Instagram story. Sheeran revealed that organizers behind the new version of the holiday benefit single didn’t ask his permission to use his vocals on the updated track, and said that he would have declined the offer due to the negative stereotypes surrounding the song.

“My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals,” Sheeran wrote. “A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward looking one. Love to all x” The 40th anniversary edition of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is set for release on November 25, and mixes vocals from a variety of artists featured on the song over the decades. (Consequence of Sound)

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” notches its 18th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The crossover hit is now only one week away from tying the longest run at No. 1 in the Hot 100 chart’s 66-year history, which is currently held by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus), which reigned for 19 weeks back in 2019. Also of note this week, Gracie Abrams cracks the Top 10 for the first time in her career, as “That’s So True” jumps seven places to reach No. 6. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” sticks at No. 2, Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” remains at No. 3, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” hods at No. 4, while her “Taste” drops a spot to No. 8, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” remains at No. 5, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, drops a spot to No. 7, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” slides down a slot to No. 9, and Wallen’s “Love Somebody” falls a spot to No. 10. (Billboard)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, Fender has launched a new line that features a new branded Stratocaster guitar as well as a variety of accessories and apparel. Back in 2005, Fender unveiled their celebrated Hello Kitty Squier Stratocaster, and the new 50th anniversary model “represents a riff on the original.” The new Hello Kitty Strat comes in a pink or white gloss finish, with the iconic Hello Kitty graphic emblazoned on the pickguard, body, and headstock. The guitar also comes in a branded Hello Kitty padded bag. Fender also released a Hello Kitty Fuzz pedal, along with a wide array of branded accessories like guitar straps, cables, picks, T-shirts, hoodies, and hats. “Hello Kitty has a global community of devoted fans, and much like Fender, has transcended generations, culture, and geography. This partnership speaks to the joy and creativity both brands have inspired worldwide,” said Edward Cole, President of Fender APAC. (Consequence of Sound)

The new documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, looks back on the legendary career of the music icon, but it ends with a creative look forward featuring a brand new collaboration between Sir Elton and Brandi Carlile. The 10-time Grammy winner Carlile saw an early cut of the documentary, and was inspired to write the lyrics to “Never Too Late,” which not only finishes the film by playing over the end credits, but it gave the entire project its name as well. John’s longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin is also credited as co-writer on the track with Elton and Carlile, along with producer Andrew Watt. “I wanted to write this song that just showed his tenacity and perseverance and constant commitment to just overcome,” said Carile. “I’ve been such a fan of her for over 20 years, I just thought it would be great to do a duet,” John said. “Because it’s not just my perspective; it’s someone else’s perspective.”  Elton John: Never Too Late is in select theaters now, and premieres on Disney+ on December 13. (Variety)

Gracie Abrams’ duet with Taylor Swift on “Us” is a high point on her Billboard Top 5 hit album, The Secret of Us. The song was just honored with a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. During Swift’s Eras Tour show in Toronto on Saturday (November 16), the pop superstar brought out her opening act Abrams to sing a duet on “Us” to celebrate their Grammy nod. The pair also sang Swift’s 1989 hit, “Out of the Woods,” during the surprise songs part of her set. Abrams opened for Swift during her 2023 Eras Tour, and the singers quickly bonded together. “Gracie was opening for me like a year ago on The Eras Tour, and we made so many fun memories,” Swift said as she introduced Abrams. “One of my favorites was celebrating her Grammy nomination for best new artist. We went out that night and had, like, eleventy-hundred cosmos.” Swift revealed that they were “feral screeching” on the phone together when they heard “Us” had been nominated for a Grammy. (Billboard)

Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty to charges that he organized a murder-for-hire plot that led to the shooting death of the cousin of rapper Quando Rondo in Los Angeles two years ago. The Grammy-winning Chicago rapper entered his plea in court on Thursday (November 14), and he was then sent to a federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles. The 32-year-old musician, whose real name is Durk Banks, has received a tentative trial date of January 7, 2025, according to court records. Prosecutors claim that there is a “serious risk defendant will flee,” so they have asked that Banks be held until trial. Federal authorities claim Banks was trying to board a private jet destined for Italy when he was arrested in Miami last month. “Mr. Banks is charged with orchestrating a cold-blooded murder that resulted in the death of a rival’s family member,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. If convicted as charged, Banks is facing up to life in federal prison. (Rolling Stone)

Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the third consecutive week. This marks Tyler’s most weeks spent atop the album chart in his career, surpassing the two weeks spent at No. 1 by his previous album, Call Me If You Get Lost.  TOMORROW X TOGETHER debuts at No. 2 this week with The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY, becoming the sixth Top 10 release for the K-pop group. Elsewhere in the Billboard 200 Top 10, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet drops a spot to No. 3, Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us jumps up one slot to No. 4, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft moves up two spots to No. 5, Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess stays at No. 6, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time jumps up three slots to No. 7, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department moves up one spot to No. 8, Rod Wave’s Last Lap slides down a spot to No. 9, and Noah Kahan’s Stick Season vaults up four spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

In federal court filings made on Friday (November 15), prosecutors are alleging that Sean “Diddy” Combs has attempted to reach out to prospective witnesses while trying to influence public opinion from jail. The filing also urges the judge to reject Combs’ latest $50 million bail proposal ahead of next week’s bail hearing. “The defendant has shown repeatedly — even while in custody — that he will flagrantly and repeatedly flout rules in order to improperly impact the outcome of his case,” prosecutors wrote in the filing. “The defendant has shown, in other words, that he cannot be trusted to abide by rules or conditions.” Prosecutors claim that Combs' behavior intends to blackmail victims and witnesses into silence or into providing beneficial testimony that aids his defense.The 55-year-old disgraced music mogul is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting his upcoming sex trafficking trial. (Billboard)

Toni Cornell took to Instagram on Wednesday (November 13) to announce the upcoming release of her debut single, “Sunset of Your Love,” on November 21. Toni is the 20-year-old daughter of late Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell. The video post features behind-the-scenes glimpses of Toni working on the song in the recording studio, while also containing a snippet of the finished version of the moody, beat-driven track. Toni captioned her post, “Excited to finally announce the release of my first song Sunset of Your Love 🌅🍑💜 Yours November 21st.”

Toni also shared that she worked with songwriter Mozella on the track, which was produced by Dave Hamelin, who worked on Beyoncé’s Grammy-nominated song, “16 Carriages.” Since her father’s tragic death in 2017, Toni has performed a variety of covers as she found her voice, including Temple of the Dog’s “Hunger Strike,” Pearl Jam’s “Black,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” (Consequence of Sound)

Nelly will not face any charges stemming from his arrest at a Missouri casino back in August. During the incident, the Grammy-winning rapper was searched and taken into custody when he tried to collect some winnings. Nelly was detained on an old warrant issued in 2018 related to driving without proof of insurance. “We don’t believe the facts in this case warrant the issuing of charges,” a spokesman for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “It’s the right result,” says Nelly’s lawyer, Scott Rosenblum. “He won a jackpot at the casino. They ran him,” says a law enforcement source. “He had an old warrant for driving without [proper paperwork], and they searched him. It was an improper search. It was a really dumb arrest.” Nelly, 50, had just welcomed his first child with Ashanti a few weeks before his August 7 arrest. (Rolling Stone)

In a new interview with British Vogue, SZA disclosed that not only is she working on her long-rumored new album, Lana, but the Grammy-winning R&B star has another project on the way as well. SZA is going to release a deluxe-version of her 2022 Billboard No. 1 album, SOS, with a finished version of Lana also in the works. SZA is clearly staying busy making music, even if she is making her fans wait patiently for it. And that music is having a healing effect on the award-winning musician, putting SZA in a better place emotionally. “I think I am making music from a more beautiful place. From a more possible place versus a more angsty place,” SZA shared. “I’m not identifying with my brokenness. It’s not my identity. It’s sh*t that happened to me. Yeah, I experienced cruelty. I have to put it down at some point. Piece by piece, my music is shifting because of that, the lighter I get.” (Billboard) 

Grammy-winning R&B group Boyz II Men are working on a feature film biopic that will capture the highs and lows of their chart-topping 30-year music career. The group has teamed up with the production and financing companies Compelling Pictures and Primary Wave, who will help to develop the narrative feature film. Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris are all serving as executive producers on the project. Compelling Pictures is also planning to begin production on a long-form Boz II Men documentary that will chronicle the group’s celebrated history. “We’ve been waiting to find the right partners who understand our story and are willing to tell it all,” said Nathan Morris in a statement on behalf of the group. “[Producers] Denis [O’Sullivan] and Jeff [Kalligheri] at Compelling Pictures understood us day one.” (Variety)