DMC, DJ Johnny Juice and Brian Hardgroove release ‘I’m on Your Side’ as supergroup FREEDOM

DMC, DJ Johnny Juice and Brian Hardgroove release ‘I’m on Your Side’ as supergroup FREEDOM
DMC, DJ Johnny Juice and Brian Hardgroove release ‘I’m on Your Side’ as supergroup FREEDOM
Artwork for FREEDOM’s ‘I’m On Your Side’ (WEG Records)

Members of two iconic hip-hop groups have joined forces to form a new supergroup. FREEDOM is made up of DMC from Run-DMC, and Public Enemy’s DJ Johnny Juice and Brian Hardgroove. The group says the goal is to deliver messages of resilience and unity through music while bridging generations.

They’ve kicked off their run with “I’m on Your Side,” which is out now. It’s described in a press release as “an anthem for today’s uncertain times” and “a rallying cry for those who refuse to stay silent in the face of corruption, chaos and freedom collapsing.”

With a mission “to reclaim one’s own voice where truth and democracy are under attack,” the group encourages engagement, hoping to “inspire people to move beyond passive listening” and take tangible actions for freedom. The release adds that the song “will remind fans that the fight for freedom is deeply personal, rooted in courage, empathy, hope.”

The music video for “I’m on Your Side,” now streaming on YouTube, was filmed in New York in a single day. 

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Music notes: Kevin Jonas, Harry Styles and more

Music notes: Kevin Jonas, Harry Styles and more
Music notes: Kevin Jonas, Harry Styles and more

Kevin Jonas debuted his new solo single, “Little Things,” live Wednesday night during the Jonas Brothers’ show  in São Paulo, Brazil. Now, the song is officially out. It marks only his second solo release, following last year’s “Changing.” In a statement, Kevin says the song is inspired by his wife, Danielle Jonas. “My wife and I have been married for 17 years,” he says. “There are little moments during our time together that trigger my joy and happiness and remind me exactly why I’m still with her.”

Harry Styles launches his Together, Together tour in Amsterdam on Saturday, and the whole city is ready to dance. Johan Cruijff Arena, where Harry will perform 10 shows, posted a video on Instagram showing iconic Amsterdam landmarks transformed into mirrored disco balls — just like the one on the cover of Harry’s album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. Robyn will open all 10 dates.

New Kids on the Block have been announced as performers on the American Music Awards, taking place in Las Vegas May 25 and airing on CBS and Paramount+. They join a lineup that includes Teddy Swims, sombr, KATSEYE, Hootie & the Blowfish and Billy Idol. Queen Latifah will host the show.

While you’re waiting for Ariana Grande’s new album petal to drop, you can listen to a new song by her brother, Frankie Grande. He’s released his version of Céline Dion’s hit “I Drove All Night, which he performs nightly in the Broadway musical Titanique. Frankie says this version is “faster,” “gayer” and “unapologetically made for the dance floor.”

Shaggy has released a new album, Lottery, featuring his pal Sting, as well as guests Robin Thicke, Akon and Rayvon, who sang on Shaggy’s 2001 #1 hit “Angel.”


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Albums from Joni Mitchell, Cher and Dusty Springfield get high fidelity audio release

Albums from Joni Mitchell, Cher and Dusty Springfield get high fidelity audio release
Albums from Joni Mitchell, Cher and Dusty Springfield get high fidelity audio release
Joni Mitchell’s ‘Court and Spark’ High Fidelity audiophile reissue. (Rhino)

Classic albums by Joni Mitchell, Dusty Springfield and Cher are the latest to get an audio upgrade as part of Rhino’s High Fidelity audiophile series.

The reissues include Mitchell’s album Court and Spark, Springfield’s Dusty in Memphis and Cher’s 3614 Jackson Highway.

Originally released in 1974, Court and Spark was Mitchell’s biggest commercial hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Albums chart, thanks in part to her highest-charting single, “Help Me.” Meanwhile, 1969’s Dusty in Memphis, a fusion of pop and R&Bwould go on to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry. Cher’s 3614 Jackson Highway had the superstar covering several well known songs, and while it wasn’t a commercial hit when it was released in 1969, it did receive positive reviews from critics.

All three reissues have been cut from the original master tapes and pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. Each are limited to 5,000 individually numbered copies.

All are available now at Rhino.com.

These albums are just the latest in a string of releases that have been part of the Rhino High Fidelity audiophile series. Others include Stevie Nicks’ Bella Donna, The Cars’ 1978 self-titled debut, INXS’ Kick, The Velvet Underground’s Loaded and The Stooges’ Fun House.

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Nashville notes: Megan Moroney’s ‘Traitor’ + Chris Janson’s musical cameo

Nashville notes: Megan Moroney’s ‘Traitor’ + Chris Janson’s musical cameo
Nashville notes: Megan Moroney’s ‘Traitor’ + Chris Janson’s musical cameo

The title track of Chris Janson’s latest album, Wild Horses, will be featured in Sunday’s episode of Marshals on CBS and Paramount+.

“Traitor (Roles Reversed),” previously available only as the bonus track from the Target edition of Megan Moroney’s third album, Cloud 9, has now made its way to streaming services.  

Keith Urban’s cover of Robbie Dupree’s 1980 hit, “Steal Away,” is available now. It’s the latest preview of the Aussie superstar’s yacht rock covers album, Flow State, due June 12. He’ll present the album of the year trophy at Sunday’s 61st ACM Awards in Vegas. 



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Luke Bryan plants a new crop of Farm Tour dates for fall

Luke Bryan plants a new crop of Farm Tour dates for fall
Luke Bryan plants a new crop of Farm Tour dates for fall
Luke Bryan (Disney/Eric McCandless)

Luke Bryan is midway through the three-night kickoff of his 2026 Farm Tour in Clovis, California, but he’s already looking ahead to three more dates in the fall.

“‘Bout time we told y’all in the Midwest when we’re comin to town,” he posted on his socials Friday afternoon. “#FarmTour2026 is heading back to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana this September. Tickets go on sale 5/21 at 9am EST. Nut House, y’all get first access on 5/19 at 9am EST.”

Luke will play 1846 Farms in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 17, followed by Miller Family Farm in Millersport, Ohio, on Sept. 18. On Sept. 19, he’s due in Brookston, Indiana, at Prairie Views Farms. 

Luke wraps up the first leg of the 2026 Farm Tour Saturday in Elk Grove, California. He kicks off his Word on the Street Tour May 29 in Gilford, New Hampshire. 

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New Music Friday: Mýa, GIVĒON and more

New Music Friday: Mýa, GIVĒON and more
New Music Friday: Mýa, GIVĒON and more

GIVĒON has released the deluxe edition of his 2025 album, Beloved. Beloved: Act II features the 19 original tracks plus five new ones. Kehlani, Teddy Swims, Leon Thomas and Sasha Keable appear on the album.  “if you thought the story was over… listen again,” GIVĒON writes on Instagram while announcing the album’s release. The video for “Jezebel” is now available to watch on YouTube.

After months of teasing, Mýa is back with Retrospect, a tribute to the ’70s and ’80s. “We created this project with the intention to transport us back to a special time in music and culture that brought so much love, laughter, joy and reflection to our lives,” she said in a statement. “The days of cassette tapes, vinyl, the most amazing gatherings, concerts, house parties, skate nights and date nights. A good time was certainly had & will forever be a part of me. Who’s ready to go back?!” 21 Savage, Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, D-Nice, Joyner Lucas, Dizzy Wright and Phil Adé are featured on the album.

Other releases:

Kevin Gates, Lost Files – The Collection

Paul Wall, “Elbow Room

Shaggy, “Lottery

BNYX, GENESIS FM

Steve Aoki, Destroy Lonely and BIA, “Young

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Kelsea Ballerini’s fans are ‘Legends’ on her new app

Kelsea Ballerini’s fans are ‘Legends’ on her new app
Kelsea Ballerini’s fans are ‘Legends’ on her new app
Kelsea Ballerini is seen in Midtown on April 15, 2026 in New York City. (TheStewartofNY/GC Images)

Kelsea Ballerini’s Legends fan club will now make its home in her new app.

The “Love Me Like You Mean It” hitmaker announced the Kelsea Ballerini app Friday in a video message posted to her socials

“I really love seeing what you guys are saying, whether it’s about shows or what to wear to shows or what your favorite lyric is or what you think is about to drop and when and what merch you want, what merch you like,” she said. “And so we wanted to curate this really fun, safe atmosphere for all of us to just kinda kiki together whenever we want.”

“And it’s gonna be where I show you things first, where I announce things first,” she added. “There’s gonna a forum where we can all talk. I will be lurking. It’s gonna be a really safe, fun spot to move into this next chapter and season of music together. See you there.”

If you’re not a Legend, you can become one by downloading the app, creating an account and buying a membership. 

The group, of course, is named after “Legends,” Kelsea’s #1 from 2018.

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The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ certified double Platinum ahead of 60th anniversary

The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ certified double Platinum ahead of 60th anniversary
The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ certified double Platinum ahead of 60th anniversary
Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Resnikoff and Bruce Johnston attend the Beach Boys 60th Anniversary of ‘Pet Sounds’ at Capitol Records Building on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for UMe)

Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of The Beach Boys’ iconic album Pet Sounds, and ahead of the milestone, the album has ben certified double Platinum by the RIAA.

Not only that, the album’s hit singles received new certifications: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” has now been certified four-times Platinum, while “God Only Knows” is now two-times Platinum and “Sloop John B” has gone Platinum.

Beach Boys founding members Mike Love and Al Jardine, as well as Bruce Johnston and the families of the late Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, were on hand for a special ceremony at Capitol Records in Hollywood, California, on Monday, where they received plaques celebrating the new certifications. Capitol Records is also flying a Pet Sounds flag on its tower to mark the anniversary.

Another way the anniversary is being celebrated is with the just-released The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights, featuring material from the 1997 four-CD box set The Pet Sounds Sessions. The set contains 25 alternate takes, a cappella versions and tracking sessions, all of which are making their vinyl debut.

Released May 16, 1966, Pet Sounds is often considered one of the best albums of all time. Recorded a year after Brian Wilson quit touring and suffered a breakdown in 1964, the album peaked at #10 on the Billboard Albums chart. In 2004 it was chosen by the Library of Congress for inclusion in the National Recording Registry.

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John Travolta awarded a surprise honorary Palme d’or at Cannes Film Festival

John Travolta awarded a surprise honorary Palme d’or at Cannes Film Festival
John Travolta awarded a surprise honorary Palme d’or at Cannes Film Festival
John Travolta accepts his honorary Palme d’or during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Plage Macé on May 15, 2026, in Cannes, France. (Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)

John Travolta has been awarded a surprise honorary Palme d’or.

The honor was given to Travolta before the world premiere of his directorial debut film, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival.

According to Deadline, Travolta received a standing ovation and called the Palme d’or “an honor beyond the Oscars.”

A sizzle reel showing moments from Travolta’s film career was also shown. After watching the clips, the outlet reports Travolta said, “You see your whole life before you like I did in this. I feel a mixture of things, every image has memory and it’s very emotional. And the soundtrack that goes with all those memories. I’ve been doing film most of my life. Eighty-five percent of my life, so it was really nice to see that.”

Propeller One-Way Night Coach is an adaptation of the 1997 book that Travolta also wrote. An official description of the film from the Cannes Film Festival describes it as being inspired by Travolta’s childhood memories, “from his first airplane flight to the unforgettable people and stories he has collected over the years.”

It follows a young airplane enthusiast named Jeff (Clark Shotwell) and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett), who set off on a one-way cross-country trip to Hollywood.

Propeller One-Way Night Coach will debut to Apple TV on May 29.

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Schoolboy Q explains why he quit smoking weed

Schoolboy Q explains why he quit smoking weed
Schoolboy Q explains why he quit smoking weed
ScHoolboy Q performs on stage at Spilt Milk on December 7, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

Schoolboy Q said he quit smoking weed because he wanted to lead by example. While explaining his decision on the Par 3 Podcast with J.R. Smith & Stephen Malbon, he credited his kids for the decision.

“Me, personally, I feel like I got everything I got out of it,” he said. “I’ve been smoking so much, and smoking, like, 20 times a day. At some point, it ain’t really doing nothing. You just got this oral [fixation]. You’re just constantly doing it. … But it was mainly for my daughters, my kids. Just to let them know you can do anything.”

He said he’s been preaching messages of resilience to his oldest daughter, who is almost 17 and has been dealing with challenges in her life. 

“It was just, like, me constantly telling her you can do anything. Like, don’t even trip.”

Quitting was his way of backing his words with action and serving as living proof that she can do anything.

“Now it’s like, ‘Now what you got? Give me something back,'” he continued. “I’m doing it. We gon’ do this s*** together.”

Schoolboy Q said he hasn’t gone back since.

In a 2016 Coveteur interview, he said weed helped him cope and kept him from trouble in the streets.

“I’d probably be dead if I didn’t pick up weed. I come from a life of gang bangin’,” he said. “Being out a lot gets you crossed up in the wrong mix and … [b]ecause I’m a big weed head, I’m not even trying to go nowhere else outside my vicinity. I’m high and feeling good and I’m not even gonna get into any trouble.”

The full podcast interview is available to watch on YouTube.

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