(L-R) Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga, and V of BTS perform onstage during the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC)
An Irish tabloid recently claimed that BTS was involved in a recording project involving songs originally written for Michael Jackson — a claim which the group has denied.
Back in 2006, Michael went to Grouse Lodge Studios in Ireland to record a new album, but never completed the sessions. On Aug. 3, The Irish Sunon Sunday quoted Paddy Dunning, the head of Grouse Lodge Studios, as saying that he’d been signing up artists to record the songs that Michael originally planned to cut.
Dunning was quoted as saying, “The sessions started last year and we have already had the Korean boy band BTS over with us in Grouse Lodge, recording one of the songs.”
But the band’s label, BIGHIT Music, posted on X Tuesday, “We would like to address recent media reports concerning BTS’ alleged participation in a Michael Jackson tribute album. BTS has neither visited Grouse Lodge Studio in Ireland nor taken part in any recording sessions at the location for the mentioned project.”
“The group is not involved in the tribute album in any capacity. We are continuing to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of inaccurate information.”
The online version of the story has now removed Dunning’s quote about BTS, but further quotes him as saying that the Michael Jackson estate gave him permission to proceed with the project, and to make a documentary about the time he spent in Ireland, with his kids in tow, recording the project.
Green Day, Linkin Park and Twenty One Pilots are among the nominees for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
All three bands will compete in the best rock category with their respective videos for “One Eyed Bastard,” “The Emptiness Machine” and “The Contract.” The best rock nominees also include Evanescence‘s “Afterlife,” Coldplay‘s “ALL MY LOVE” and Lenny Kravitz‘s “Honey.”
In the best alternative category, the nominees include Imagine Dragons‘ “Wake Up,” mgk and Jelly Roll‘s “Lonely Road,” Gigi Perez‘s “Sailor Song,” Lola Young‘s “Messy,” sombr‘s “back to friends” and The Marías‘ “Back to Me.”
Perez, Young, sombr and The Marías are all also nominated for best new artist.
Other nominees include Billie Eilish‘s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” for video and song of the year, and Lorde‘s “What Was That” for song of the year.
The 2025 VMAs will air live from New York’s UBS Arena Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV, and will stream on Paramount+.
For the full list of nominees and to vote for your favorites, visit Vote.MTV.com.
David Byrne attends SNL50: The Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
For David Byrne and Hayley Williams, collaborating is more than just a “Once in a Lifetime” experience.
The respective Talking Heads and Paramore singers are linking up again for a new song called “Open the Door,” recorded for the upcoming animated Netflix film The Twits, based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name.
“I reached out to Hayley Williams to collaborate on the end credits song,” Byrne tells Netflix. “We both agreed that it should serve to remind us that there is heart and connection in the story after all the unpleasantness depicted by Mr. and Mrs. Twit.”
“Being a part of this movie is like one pinch-me moment after another. My favorite Roald Dahl book growing up was The Twits,” Williams says. “I owe David Byrne for pulling me into the music for this.”
Byrne also wrote three other original songs for The Twits – “We’re Not Like Ev’ryone Else,” “Lullaby,” and “The Problem Is You” – which will be performed by the movie’s cast.
The Twits is due out on Netflix later in 2025.
Byrne and Williams also collaborated on a song for Byrne’s upcoming solo album, Who Is the Sky?, which will be released Sept. 5. Previously, Paramore covered Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” while Byrne covered Paramore’s “Hard Times.”
“Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” single artwork. Post Atlantic
Hayley Williams has premiered the video for “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” one of the Paramore frontwoman’s 17 new solo songs.
The clip finds Williams gallivanting around her hometown of Nashville as she sings, “I’ll be the biggest star/ At this racist country singer’s bar.” It also features Tennessee House of Representatives member Justin Jones, who was expelled in 2023 for taking part in a gun control protest. He was later reinstated on an interim basis before regaining his seat in a special election.
“Special thanks to Brother Justin Jones for being a part of this video and so much more in the Nashville community,” Williams says.
You can watch the “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” video on YouTube.
Williams originally released “Ego Death” and 16 other solo songs on her website for a limited time before officially putting them out on streaming services. The set follows Williams’ two solo albums, 2020’s Petals for Armor and 2021’s Flowers for Vases/Descansos.
Lady Gaga performs onstage during The MAYHEM Ball Tour at The Kia Forum on July 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Lady Gaga has conjured up a leading 12 nominations for the 2025 MTV VMAs, thanks to her visuals for her Bruno Mars collaboration “Die With a Smile” and “Abracadabra.”
Gaga, who has 18 VMAs to her name, is up for video of the year, artist of the year, best album and many other categories. This is the third time she’s been the leading nominee at the VMAs. Her “Die With a Smile” partner Bruno is the second-most-nominated artist, with 11 nods.
Other leading nominees include Kendrick Lamar with 10; ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter with eight each; Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with seven; Billie Eilish with six; and Charli XCX with five. Other nominees include Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran and Jelly Roll.
The 2025 VMAs will air coast to coast on Sept. 7 on CBS and MTV starting at 8 p.m. ET, live from the UBS Arena in New York, and will stream on Paramount+.
Fan voting is now open in 19 categories at vote.mtv.com. You can vote through Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. ET. On Aug. 18, the song of the year category will be cut from 10 to six nominees.
Here are the nominees:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR, presented by Burger King® Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR Bad Bunny Beyoncé Kendrick Lamar Lady Gaga Morgan Wallen Taylor Swift The Weeknd
SONG OF THE YEAR Alex Warren – “Ordinary” Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” Doechii – “Anxiety” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I’m Sorry” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” Lorde – “What Was That” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Tate McRae – “Sports Car” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
BEST NEW ARTIST Alex Warren Ella Langley Gigi Perez Lola Young sombr The Marías
BEST POP ARTIST Ariana Grande Charli XCX Justin Bieber Lorde Miley Cyrus Sabrina Carpenter Tate McRae
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR, presented by BACARDÍ® Rum August 2024 – Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” September 2024 – Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” October 2024 – Mark Ambor – “Belong Together” November 2024 – Lay Bankz – “Graveyard” December 2024 – Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye” January 2025 – KATSEYE – “Touch” February 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – “KEHLANI” March 2025 – Leon Thomas – “YES IT IS” April 2025 – Livingston – “Shadow” May 2025 – Damiano David – “Next Summer” June 2025 – Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” July 2025 – ROLE MODEL – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”
BEST COLLABORATION, presented by Under Armour Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “luther” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me A Drink” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Selena Gomez, benny blanco – “Sunset Blvd”
BEST POP Alex Warren – “Ordinary” Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
BEST HIP-HOP Doechii – “Anxiety” Drake – “NOKIA” Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” LL COOL J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux” Travis Scott – “4X4”
BEST R&B Chris Brown – “Residuals” Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “MUTT (REMIX)” Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” PARTYNEXTDOOR – “N o C h i l l” Summer Walker – “Heart Of A Woman” SZA – “Drive” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”
BEST ALTERNATIVE Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up” Lola Young – “Messy” mgk & Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road” sombr – “back to friends” The Marías – “Back To Me”
BEST ROCK Coldplay – “ALL MY LOVE” Evanescence – “Afterlife (From the Netflix Series “Devil May Cry”)” Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard” Lenny Kravitz – “Honey” Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine” twenty one pilots – “The Contract”
BEST LATIN Bad Bunny – “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” J Balvin – “Rio” KAROL G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” Peso Pluma – “LA PATRULLA” Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – “Khé?” Shakira – “Soltera”
BEST K-POP aespa – “Whiplash” JENNIE – “like JENNIE” Jimin – “Who” JISOO – “earthquake” LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again” Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom” ROSÉ – “toxic till the end”
BEST AFROBEATS Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa” MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix)” Rema – “Baby (Is It A Crime)” Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right” Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece Of My Heart”
BEST COUNTRY Chris Stapleton – “Think I’m In Love With You” Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You” Jelly Roll – “Liar” Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU” Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” Morgan Wallen – “Smile”
BEST ALBUM Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS Kendrick Lamar – GNX Lady Gaga – Mayhem Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
BEST LONG FORM VIDEO Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Bad Bunny – “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (Short Film)” Damiano David – “FUNNY little STORIES” Mac Miller – “Balloonerism” Miley Cyrus – “Something Beautiful” The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
VIDEO FOR GOOD Burna Boy – “Higher” Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Doechii – “Anxiety” Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” Selena Gomez, benny blanco – “Younger And Hotter Than Me” Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking”
BEST DIRECTION Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
BEST ART DIRECTION Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Lorde – “Man Of The Year” Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
BEST EDITING Charli XCX – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)”
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY Doechii – “Anxiety” FKA twigs – “Eusexua” Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly”
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)” The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow”
Offset has a new, self-titled album on the way. Titled Kiari after his birth name, Kiari Kendrell Cephus, the project stands to be his “most personal body of work yet,” according to a press release.
It’s scheduled to arrive on Aug. 22, complete with 18 tracks, including previously released singles “Professional” and “Bodies” featuring J.I.D. Other artists who contributed to the album are Gunna, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, John Legend, Ty Dolla $ign, Key Glock, YFN Lucci and Teezo Touchdown.
Kiari will include multiple physical artwork variants, and is now available to presave and preorder.
It marks Offset’s third solo studio album, following his debut album, Father of 4, and its follow-up, 2023’s Set It Off.
‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’ album cover. Run For Cover Records
Following a mysterious teaser, AFI has indeed announced a new album.
The 12th studio effort from the “Miss Murder” rockers is called Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… and is due out Oct. 3. It’s the follow-up to 2021’s Bodies.
“The goal of Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… was to make an album with a singular mood, something dreamy and ethereal, and the band members found themselves diving headfirst into influences that had always been deeply embedded in AFI’s musical core, but now were being brought to the forefront,” a press release reads. “The result is an album that feels out of time, at once familiar and fresh, drawing on classic sounds and reinterpreting them through a modern lens.”
Lead single “Behind the Clock” is out now, and you can watch its accompanying video on YouTube.
AFI will launch a U.S. tour in September.
Here’s the Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… track list: “The Bird of Prey” “Behind the Clock” “Holy Visions” “Blasphemy & Excess” “Spear of Truth” “Ash Speck in a Green Eye” “VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK” “Marguerite” “A World Unmade” “Noneunderground”
Cole Swindell‘s putting one of his favorite hobbies on hold in preparation for fatherhood.
“I hate goodbyes… Until we meet again… R.I.P. golf game,” Cole captioned a video of him packing up his golf gear, set to Celine Dion‘s “My Heart Will Go On.”
Back in May, he told ABC Audio the due date for his wife, Courtney Little Swindell, is early August. That means the two are expecting their first child, a daughter, any day.
“He stopped loving her today,” Cole’s pal George Birge added in the comments, invoking the famous George Jones song.
Of course, Cole’s not saying goodbye to his pastime forever.
“This isn’t goodbye.. it’s see you later. I think,” he adds in the post. “Bring on Dad life!”
Months after they were nominated for, respectively, an Oscar and a Golden Globe, songs by Elton John and Miley Cyrus are up for an additional honor.
Elton’s duet with Brandi Carlisle “Never Too Late” and Miley’s song “Beautiful that Way” are both nominated for the World Soundtrack Awards, which will be handed out Oct. 15 in Belgium. Elton’s song is from his Disney+ documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, while Miley’s song is from the Pamela Anderson film The Last Showgirl.
Elton’s song received an Oscar nod, while Miley’s was up for a Golden Globe. At both ceremonies, the songs lost out to “El Mal,” from the film Emilia Pérez. “El Mal” is also up for a World Soundtrack Award. The last two nominees in the category are “Winter Coat,” from the movie Blitz, and “I Lied to You,” from Sinners.
Pat Benatar released her second studio album, Crimes of Passion, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, a position it held for five weeks.
The album featured three singles, the most popular being “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” which was her first top-10 hit. The other singles included “You Better Run,” which was the second music video ever aired on MTV, and “Treat Me Right,” which was a top-20 hit.
Crimes of Passion went on to be certified four-times Platinum by the RIAA. It also earned Benatar a Grammy for best female rock vocal performance, her first Grammy ever. She went on to win three more Grammys in the same category.
