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Udio Strikes AI Licensing Deal With Merlin for Independent Labels

Generative AI start-up Udio has formed a licensing agreement with Merlin, a popular digital licensing provider for thousands of independent labels and distributors. The announcement — which arrives a few months after Udio signed similar licenses with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group — will now allow independent labels, distributors and artists to earn […]

Watch Keith Urban’s Sweet Birthday Message for Dolly Parton: Exclusive

Keith Urban and Dolly Parton go way back. Long before they ever met, Urban was playing Parton’s music growing up in Australia. And the country superstar wanted to send love and thanks to the iconic Parton on her 80th birthday on Monday (Jan. 19). Related Happy Birthday, Dolly! Here’s Every Parton Album That Has Topped […]

Valentino, Fashion Designer to the Jet Set, Dies at 93 in Rome

Valentino Garavani, the jet-set Italian designer whose high-glamour gowns — often in his trademark shade of “Valentino red” — were fashion show staples for nearly half a century, has died at home in Rome, his foundation announced Monday (Jan. 19). He was 93. “Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all […]

New Sphere Planned for Washington, D.C., Marking Venue’s Second U.S. Location

Sphere Entertainment has announced plans to open its second venue in the United States. On Sunday (Jan. 18), the company behind Las Vegas’ state-of-the-art, orb-shaped Sphere revealed it will build a smaller-scale version at National Harbor in Maryland, a major tourism destination just outside Washington, D.C. Related More Than a Quarter of America’s Highest-Grossing Concert […]

Jacob Alon Crowned 2026 BRITs’ Critics’ Choice Winner

Jacob Alon has been crowned The BRIT Awards’ Critics’ Choice winner for 2026. The Scottish singer-songwriter (Island) emerges victorious over fellow shortlisted nominees Sienna Spiro (Capitol Records) and Rose Gray (Polydor) in the race for the coveted trophy which recognizes stars at an early stage of their career.  Related Jacob Alon on Charting a Painful, […]

Peso Pluma Announces 2026 Dinastía Tour: Here are the Dates

Peso Pluma is bringing Dinastía to the United States. On Monday (Jan. 19), the 26-year-old Mexican hitmaker announced his upcoming nationwide run, titled the Dinastía by Peso Pluma & Friends Tour, in support of his chart-topping collaborative album with Tito Double P. Related How Peso Pluma and Tito Double P Made ‘Dinastía,’ and Changed the […]

Was 2025 Tyler, The Creator’s Greatest Pop Star Year Yet?

This podcast episode is part of the Billboard editorial staff’s Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 list. Find our accompanying Tyler essay here, and all the rest of our essays and podcasts related to the list here. Tyler, The Creator had a big enough 2024 to end up an honorable mention on our Greatest Pop Stars […]