Music

Eric Bellinger has long been a fan on Afrobeats, but he stayed away from making that kind of music until he had the proper backing.

“I definitely always loved [Afrobeats],” he tells ABC Audio. “I just felt like it wasn’t my place to make that music, honestly, because of where it originated from and I didn’t wanna seem like, oh…I could do that.”

He notes it was important for him not to sound like he’s “trying to imitate something” but actually respect the roots and create music that “the African culture can be proud of it and stand behind.”

With help from A&R Scoop, Eric collaborated with Verbb, Vscript, Quintelli and other African artists and producers, bringing to life his new album, It All Makes Sense, with the very support he’d desired. It’s a “product that people could listen to for years to come,” he tells ABC Audio, one that takes fans “on a journey” with him to Africa.

“When you hear the music, it’s gon’ make you dance, it’s gonna make you feel something, and that’s what I always got from it,” he shares. “I just wanted to put my own spin on it, add my R&B fusion to have something for the people back home, especially in the States, to just rock to, because we all love Afro music…not just the States, all over the world. So this was just my offering and homage to the genre, paying respect.“

Eric also hopes the album’s a reminder that “you can do anything.”

“Don’t let your perception from the culture put you too much in a box…,” he says, aware that he’s an R&B star tapping into a new genre. “I think people get used to what they’re introduced to…and it’s hard for them to see you transition into something else.”

“So always believe that you can do it,” Eric continued. “I had an idea and here we are.” 

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After premiering it in theaters during her Release Party of a Showgirl theatrical event, Taylor Swift put her video for “The Fate of Ophelia” on YouTube Sunday night.

Taylor, who wrote and directed the clip, described it on Instagram as a “journey through the chaotic world of show business.” During the theatrical event, Variety reports that Taylor explained the concept as “all these different ways in which, over time periods, historically, you could be a showgirl.”

Among those ways: being in a Pre-Raphaelite painting in the 1800s, being a cabaret performer, a theatrical actor, a Vegas showgirl or a movie musical star. You could even, she said, “be a pop singer on the Eras Tour.”

We see all those different incarnations in the video, starting with Taylor in a scenario inspired by the 1851 painting Ophelia by John Everett Millais. She goes from that to posing in another painting, along with a loaf of her own sourdough bread.

Next, she’s a cabaret performer in a Marilyn Monroe ‘do, a club singer in the ’60s, a theater actress fighting pirates, an Esther Williams-style star in a movie musical and a Vegas showgirl. Finally, she’s Taylor the pop star, wearing a spangly dress and riding a cart down a hotel corridor and catching a football. The video ends with her lying in a bathtub, recreating the cover of the album.

Noting that the video reunited her with her “Eras Tour family,” Taylor explained on Instagram, “I wanted each one-take scene to feel like a live performance and remind us all of how it felt to be at those shows together. Making every moment count.”

The promise of a first look at the video helped The Release Party of a Showgirl top the weekend box office with $33 million.

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While there were rumors that Taylor Swift was going to join Sabrina Carpenter at the Austin City Limits festival over the weekend, the person who actually showed up is one of Taylor’s biggest inspirations: Shania Twain.

During her appearance at the Texas festival on Saturday, Sabrina told the crowd, “I show love in weird ways. One of the ways I show my love is by gift-giving. That’s one of my languages, and I thought it’d be fun to give you guys a little gift tonight, give you a little present because you all showed up and showed out for all of us.”

She then added, “Will you please make the most noise in the world for the incredible, one and only Shania Twain?”

The two then performed Shania’s 1998 hit “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” a song that Sabrina has covered on tour in the past. It was the actually second time the two singers had duetted — during her Netflix Christmas special last year, Sabrina sang “Santa Baby” with Shania.

And Shania wasn’t the only celebrity guest during Sabrina’s ACL set. During the “Juno” portion of the show, when Sabrina “arrests” a member of the audience, she chose actor and musician Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington on Stranger Things and records under the name Djo.

Sabrina posted photos of both moments on Instagram and wrote, “ACL weekend 1 @aclfestival Crowd of my dreams. Shania of my dreams. Djo of my dreams. what a perfect night. thank you all so much for coming out and singing loudlyyy just how i like it.”

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Trivium has parted ways with drummer Alex Bent.

Bent, who joined the metal outfit in 2016, writes in an Instagram post, “I am beyond grateful for the incredible past 9 years with Trivium — filled with unforgettable moments, music, and friendships that I’ll always carry with me.”

“I’m so proud of every record and tour we created together, and I know Trivium will continue to dominate the world; they’ll always have my support,” Bent continues. “While this chapter has come to a close, this is by no means the end of my path as a musician.”

“I’m excited for this new chapter, and I look forward to continuing to create, perform, and share music in new ways,” he writes. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. Your encouragement means the world.”

Trivium adds that they wish Bent “success on his future endeavors as he exits the band.”

Bent played on the last three Trivium records: 2017’s The Sin and the Sentence, 2020’s What the Dead Men Say and 2021’s In the Court of the Dragon. They’re set to release a new EP, Struck Dead, on Halloween, Oct. 31. They’ll launch a U.S. tour that same day in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Trivium played their first show with their new drummer, Greyson Nekrutman, Saturday at the Aftershock festival. Nekrutman has also played with Sepultura and Suicidal Tendencies.

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Taylor Swift is finding that The Life of a Showgirl is something that everyone wants a part of.

Billboard reports that Taylor’s 12th studio album sold 2.7 million copies — combining physical and digital purchases — in its first 24 hours. That already gives it the second-best selling week for an album since 1991, when the company Luminate began tracking sales electronically. The only album to sell more was Adele‘s 25, which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week in 2015.

And now there’s another opportunity for fans to buy even more copies of The Life of a Showgirl. On Saturday, Taylor announced four different CD versions of the album, each with two acoustic bonus tracks featuring newly recorded vocals and all-new artwork.

The Alone in My Tower version has acoustic recordings of “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Eldest Daughter,” while the Dressing Room Rehearsal version has acoustic takes on “Wi$h Li$t” and the album’s title track. The Life Is a Song version has acoustic editions of “Opalite” and “Ruin the Friendship,” and the So Glamorous Cabaret version has an acoustic recording of “Elizabeth Taylor” and the original songwriting voice memo of that same song.

All four CDs are only available until 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, while supplies last. That also happens to be when the video for “The Fate of Ophelia” drops on YouTube.

“File this under ‘save your best for the finale,'” Taylor writes on Instagram. “I think my favorite moments from the tour were the acoustic surprises. So I went back into the studio with Max [Martin] and Shellback to record acoustic/unplugged versions of a few of the Showgirl songs with brand new vocals and production! Cannot WAIT for you to hear.”

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Will Sleep Token emerge as a Grammy nominee for best new artist?

According to Billboard, the masked “Emergence” outfit is one of the 337 eligible artists on the best new artist ballot, the voting for which began Friday.

Other eligible acts include sombr, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, The Marías, Myles Smith, BABYMETAL, Sam Fender, Role Model and Royel Otis.

The best new artist category aims to honor an artist that’s “attained a breakthrough or prominence” during the eligibility period. While Sleep Token has built a sizable and passionate following with their first three records, they’ve indeed had a massive 2025 thanks to the release of their record Even in Arcadia, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, and a sold-out U.S. arena tour.

The first round of voting for best new artist runs through Oct. 15. The official Grammy nominations will be announced Nov. 7.

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Tyler, The Creator took time Friday to send birthday wishes to Ayo Edebiri and A$AP Rocky. He started with a message to Ayo, sharing photos of the two of them together on his Instagram Story. “You think you grown now?” he wrote. “Welcome to the threes. It only gets better, don’t let them lie to you.” To Rocky, Tyler wrote, “And to my work husband. Love you, bro.” He also posted a pic of them flaunting their gold grillz. 

Khalid revealed the track list for his album, After the Sun Goes Down, arriving Oct. 10. The songs are written in blue font over a photo of him rocking matching blue hair and nails. There are a total of 16 tracks, including “medicine,” “impulsive,” “angel boy” and “hurt people.” No features were mentioned.

50 Cent took to his socials to share his reaction to being mentioned on Taylor Swift‘s new album, The Life of a Showgirl. “And it was not an invitation/ But as the 50 Cеnt song played (Song played)/ Should’ve kissed you anyway (Anyway),” Taylor sings on “Ruin the Friendship.” 50 responded, “@taylorswift13 s*** is popping right now, she shout me out, she don’t shout you out. LOL. THIS IS FOR BIG TIMERS ONLY! wait I’m the only shout out on the whole album.”

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Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross‘ Future Ruins festival has been canceled.

“Unfortunately Future Ruins will not move forward this year,” reads a statement posted to the festival’s website. “The reality is, due to a number of logistical challenges and complications, we feel we cannot provide the experience that’s defined what this event was always intended to be.”

“Rather than compromise, we’re choosing to re-think and re-evaluate,” the statement continues. “Meanwhile, we are sorry for any inconvenience and appreciate all the interest and support. Refunds will be automatically issued and ticket holders will receive an email with more information.”

Future Ruins was scheduled for Nov. 8 in Los Angeles, and was designed to celebrate the music of movies and TV. Along with the Nine Inch Nails duo, who’s scoring projects include The Social Network, Soul and the Watchmen series, the lineup included composers such as Danny Elfman, John Carpenter and Mark Mothersbaugh.

“It’s about giving people who are, literally, the best in the world at taking audiences on an emotional ride via music the opportunity to tell new stories in an interesting live setting,” Reznor said of the festival.

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Gabby Barrett‘s released the new track “Ain’t Supposed to Be” as she wraps her tour Sunday at the Country Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland.

Michael Ray duets with Ty Herndon on the new version of his hit “Hands of a Working Man,” from his THIRTY, Vol. 1 album that drops Oct. 17.

Carter Faith‘s new video for “Betty” is out now, along with her debut album, Cherry Valley.  

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First-round voting for the 68th annual Grammy nominations started Friday and continues through Oct. 15, according to Billboard. The publication has also revealed which acts are eligible to be nominated for the prestigious best new artist Grammy this year.

According to Billboard, 337 artists are vying for a nomination in that category this year. Among them are Alex Warren, Myles Smith, Sombr, Olivia Dean, Gigi Perez, Jessie Murph and Lola Young. 

Also on the list: Ravyn Lenae, Addision Rae, BigXthaPlug, KATSEYE, Role Model, Djo, The Marías, Mariah the Scientist and Leon Thomas.

Nominees must have released at least five tracks or one album, and they can’t be nominated in the category more than three times. The nominees will be announced Nov. 7, with the Grammys taking place Feb. 1, 2026, in LA. 

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