“Freakin’ Out” single artwork. (Severance Records/Big Loud Rock)
Dexter and the Moonrocks are surely “Freakin’ Out” at their latest chart success.
The band’s viral single has rocketed to #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. It’s their second leader on the ranking, having previously conquered it in 2024 with the song “Sad in Carolina.”
“Freakin’ Out,” which premiered in March, is also the first Dexter and the Moonrocks song to appear on the all-genre Hot 100, where it currently sits in the top 40.
Dexter and the Moonrocks are currently on a U.S. tour and have live dates scheduled into mid-December.
Twenty years ago, an album came out that delivered firsts for both Chris Stapleton and Josh Turner: Chris wrote the title track of Josh’s second record, Your Man.
It would go on to give Josh his first #1 song and #1 album, and offer Chris his first #1 as a writer. This summer, their record label’s celebrating with multiple 20th Anniversary Editions of the collection, which also features the hits “Would You Go with Me” and “Me and God.”
“I’m moved at how it has continued to gain new fans,” Josh reflects. “I still play all three singles from that record because you fans won’t let me out of any venue until I do!! Thank y’all for your support and enthusiasm over the past two decades! Let’s keep it going!”
Your Man will be available in two vinyl variants, in 180-gram black and turquoise versions that add a coveted bonus track. “Hard Headed” was originally an iTunes exclusive that will now be making its streaming debut on all platforms.
The digital version also includes live recordings of “Your Man” and “Me and God” captured at Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel in 2021. You can check them out on YouTube now, before the audio streams on release day, Aug. 14.
Olivia Dean, winner of the Best New Artist award, poses in the press room during the 68th GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
The 2027 Grammy Awards will include five new categories, including best Asian pop music performance. That category will recognize artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop recordings that feature meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.
The four additional categories announced Tuesday by the Recording Academy are best Latin song, best traditional pop vocal performance, best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance and best traditional folk album.
The Academy also announced several changes to its voting and eligibility rules ahead of the 69th Grammy Awards. For example, labels can now enter artists for consideration in the best new artist category up to four times. Previously, if they’d been entered for consideration three times but didn’t make the cut, they were no longer eligible.
The rule change means that Ella Langley has another shot at best new artist. As per Billboard, she’s been entered for consideration in the category the past three years, but has failed to make the ballot. Now, in what has so far been the biggest year of her career, she can compete again.
The 69th Grammy Awards will air live on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu on Feb. 7, 2027.
“2027 is going to be an amazing year for the Grammy Awards, and one that reflects the extraordinary growth we’re seeing across music,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement. “The changes advanced by our Academy members speak to the breadth of today’s music industry and the many genres, crafts and creators shaping it.”
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Eve attends 2026 Recording Academy Honors Presented by The Black Music Collective at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 29, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
NPR’s Tiny Desk has been paying tribute to Black music and BET’s legacy throughout Black Music Month, and now it’s Eve’s turn to rock the mic.
The rapper treated the intimate crowd to a medley of her hits, including “Satisfaction,” “What Ya Want,” “Gotta Man,” “Gangsta Lovin'” featuring Alicia Keys and “Tambourine,” as well as “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” featuring Gwen Stefani and “Who’s That Girl” from her debut album, Scorpion, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Floetry kicked off this year’s Black Music Month celebration, followed by GENA, Ayra Starr, Joe and The Paradox. The lineup also includes Karriem Riggins and Liv.e, Fred Hammond, 8Ball & MJG, Shaboozey and a fitting addition to the BET tribute: Bow Wow.
Bow Wow hosted the BET music video countdown show 106 & Park, earning him the nickname Mr. 106 & Park.
Poster for ‘WHAM! 10 Days In China’ (Trafalgar Releasing)
A new documentary centered on WHAM!’s 1985 tour of China is coming to theaters worldwide.
WHAM! 10 Days In China follows the duo — George Michael and Andrew Ridgelely — as they become the first Western pop group to perform in China, with concerts in Beijing and Guangzhou. It features restored, newly digitized and never-before-seen archival footage, along with interviews from those who were there.
The film is described in a press release as “the untold story of WHAM! at a singular moment in history, East meets West, pop meets politics, and two young stars coming of age on the world stage.” The release says it “offers a fresh perspective on China at a moment of transformation, told through the band’s journey and the voices of fans experiencing pop culture in a new way.”
“This film finally reveals the unknown legacy of WHAM!’s groundbreaking venture, and lays bare, in all their human contradictions, the individual perspectives behind what was a bold and risky, high stakes gamble,” adds Ridgeley.
WHAM! 10 Days In China will be screened in theaters on July 28, with tickets going on sale June 24.
Tesla’s upcoming covers album, Homage, features one original song, and now fans are getting to hear it.
The “Signs” rockers have just released the track “Never Alone,” which bassist Brian Wheat says he “wrote in the 11th hour of recording the album Homage.”
Wheat explains that the song “started out as a simple guitar riff,” which he came up with while waiting to film an episode of Rachael Ray’s TV show.
He says he “started strumming these chords to kill some time,” noting, “When I listened back to it, it sounded like a Tesla song.”
Lead singer Jeff Keith agreed, and then they came up with the title “Never Alone” and started working on it. “I think it turned out pretty good,” Wheat adds.
Homage, dropping July 17, has the band covering songs by such artists as Queen, Bob Seger, Supertramp, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedence Clearwater Revival, James Brown and Elvis Presley.
Tesla is set to join Mötley Crüe on their The Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour, which begins July 17 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. A complete list of dates can be found at Teslatheband.com.
Taylor Swift & Ella Langley (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
The era of Ella Langley continues at country radio, as “Be Her” tops both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay rankings for the first time.
While it’s new to the pinnacle on Mediabase, it’s currently taking its third victory lap atop the Billboard ranking.
Of course, it continues Ella’s unbroken streak of chart-toppers that started with “you look like you love me” and “Don’t Mind If I Do” with Riley Green, and continued with “weren’t for the wind” and her cross-genre smash “Choosin’ Texas.”
After 28 weeks at #1, however, Ella’s song about the Lone Star State falls from its long-held peak atop Hot Country Songs. Ironically, it’s fellow country/pop queen Taylor Swift reclaiming the spot as she returns arm-in-arm with Sheriff Woody Pride and “I Knew It, I Knew You,” from Toy Story 5.
Taylor’s also #1 on the all-genre Hot 100, with “Texas” still flexing its staying power at #2.
Cover art for Vince Staples’ ‘Cry Baby’ (Section Eight Arthouse)
Vince Staples is taking his Cry Baby album out on the road. He is set to play shows across the United States as part of his newly announced Cry Baby tour.
The trek will kick off Oct. 19 at Tabernacle in Atlanta, with stops also scheduled in Houston, Dallas, Brooklyn, Boston, Detroit, Denver and other cities. He’s currently set to close things out on Nov. 15 at The Warfield in San Francisco.
Fans can visit Vince’s website and sign up for access to the presale, which kicks off Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets then go on sale to the public on Friday.
The tour will support Vince’s latest release, Cry Baby, which spawned the singles “Blackberry Marmalade,” “White Flag” and “Cotton.” The accompanying music videos are now available to watch on YouTube.
Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer of KISS perform during KISS: End of the Road World Tour at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
KISS has announced some of the activities fans will get to enjoy at the 2026 KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas, taking place Nov. 13-15 at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
It was previously revealed that the weekend will include two unmasked KISS shows featuring Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, as well as an all-star tribute to KISS founding member Ace Frehley, who passed away in 2025.
Now it’s been revealed that Simmons will also be hosting Gene Simmons’ Private KISS Collection Show & Tell, giving fans a look at rare pieces of his personal memorabilia, as well as sharing the untold stories behind them. Stanley is also set to host a KISS Cook Off, where participants will be challenged to recreate one of his signature dishes.
Other activities include KISS Army Live Band Karaoke, hosted by Thayer, and the KISS Kruiser Drum Off Competition and Q&A with Singer.
The weekend will also include performances by Night Ranger, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, Slaughter and Faster Pussycat. There will also be a preparty on Nov. 12 featuring the Ace Frehley Band, Enuff Z’Nuff and others.
In other KISS news, in honor of the 30th anniversary of KISS’ MTV Unplugged live album, the band is set to release two limited-edition vinyl editions of the record: a deluxe two-LP picture disc and a premium two-LP yellow and red swirled color vinyl. In addition, KISS has been posting remastered clips of their Unplugged performances on YouTube, including a making-of video.
KISS’ MTV Unplugged, recorded in August 1995, reunited Simmons and Stanley with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. The performance led to a full reunion tour.
Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer of KISS perform during KISS: End of the Road World Tour at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
KISS has announced some of the activities fans will get to enjoy at the 2026 KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas, taking place Nov. 13-15 at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
It was previously revealed that the weekend will include two unmasked KISS shows featuring Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, as well as an all-star tribute to KISS founding member Ace Frehley, who passed away in 2025.
Now it’s been revealed that Simmons will also be hosting Gene Simmons’ Private KISS Collection Show & Tell, giving fans a look at rare pieces of his personal memorabilia, as well as sharing the untold stories behind them. Stanley is also set to host a KISS Cook Off, where participants will be challenged to recreate one of his signature dishes.
Other activities include KISS Army Live Band Karaoke, hosted by Thayer, and the KISS Kruiser Drum Off Competition and Q&A with Singer.
The weekend will also include performances by Night Ranger, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, Slaughter and Faster Pussycat. There will also be a preparty on Nov. 12 featuring the Ace Frehley Band, Enuff Z’Nuff and others.
In other KISS news, in honor of the 30th anniversary of KISS’ MTV Unplugged live album, the band is set to release two limited-edition vinyl editions of the record: a deluxe two-LP picture disc and a premium two-LP yellow and red swirled color vinyl. In addition, KISS has been posting remastered clips of their Unplugged performances on YouTube, including a making-of video.
KISS’ MTV Unplugged, recorded in August 1995, reunited Simmons and Stanley with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. The performance led to a full reunion tour.
