Music

FKA twigs Siniša Welcome back to Billboard’s weekly Friday Music Guide. We curate the essential new releases you need to hear, spotlighting the tracks and albums primed to dominate your playlists throughout the weekend and well beyond. Following last week’s highlights—which featured icons like Olivia Rodrigo and Jack White—we are shifting our focus to a...

Taylor Swift attending the Los Angeles world premiere of ‘Toy Story 5’ at the Dolby Theatre on June 9, 2026. Taylor Swift truly embraced the creative spirit while crafting the anthem for Toy Story 5, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.” In a candid behind-the-scenes update shared on Instagram, the superstar revealed that she,...

John Waters. Credit: Greg Gorman / Courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR “Punks are my people,” declares John Waters. The legendary filmmaker, known for his transgressive, low-budget cult classics of the 1970s, helped define the “midnight movie” era—a period that mirrored the raw, rebellious spirit emerging simultaneously in the punk rock scene. Despite his penchant for...

Sakurazaka46 Claims the Top Spot on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 Sakurazaka46. Photo courtesy of the artist. In the latest Billboard Japan Hot 100 update released on June 17, Sakurazaka46’s new track, “Lonesome rabbit,” has officially ascended to the No. 1 position. Serving as the lead single for their latest release, “Lonesome rabbit / What’s...

Alicia Keys Electrifies New York City with “Empire State of Mind” at Knicks Victory Parade Alicia Keys takes the stage during the historic New York Knicks championship celebration on June 18, 2026. Credit: Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images After a decades-long wait, the concrete jungle finally witnessed its dream come to life: the New York Knicks have...

Role Model Announces North American Tour to Support Upcoming Album ‘Chuck Timely & the Hourglass’ Role Model captivates the audience at the Beacon Theater, October 2025. While the enigma surrounding the “Chuck Timely” persona continues to intrigue his fanbase, singer-songwriter Tucker Pillsbury—known to the world as Role Model—is preparing to take his latest artistic vision...

Charli xcx attending the 2026 Met Gala in New York City. Gilbert Flores/Variety Following her monumental Brat era, Charli xcx has faced a wave of online criticism. The backlash intensified after the pop visionary famously declared that “the dance floor is dead” in a recent track—a sentiment that sparked heated debate across social media. In...

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo photographed at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas, on May 8, 2025. Christopher Polk/Penske Media Bunnie Xo is keeping her audience on high alert following the news of her split from Jelly Roll. Only days after their separation hit the headlines, the influencer sparked fresh speculation...

Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin, and Josette Maskin of MUNA, captured at Mica Studios, Los Angeles, June 2026. Photography by Erik Carter In 2022, MUNA arrived at a pivotal turning point with their self-titled album, a project that solidified their status as pop luminaries. Yet, the release date of June 24 was marred by profound disappointment;...

Oliver Tree performing at Exit Festival 2024 at Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia. Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images The tragic death of artist Oliver Tree in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro this past Sunday (June 14) has cast a somber shadow over the music industry. His passing is a painful addition to an increasingly...