Sweet Success: Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé Mark Major Milestones on ARIA Charts

This week’s ARIA Charts are brimming with milestones, with Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé breaking records while global superstar Bad Bunny makes a splash on the Albums Chart.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet is proving to be a sugar rush for fans, holding strong at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart for 10 non-consecutive weeks. The pop star’s addictive blend of catchy tracks has turned the album into a chart staple since its release in late August.

With 11 of its 12 songs cracking the top 40—including No. 1 hits like “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste”—Sabrina’s got the secret ingredient for success. Even “Bed Chem,” the album’s fourth single, hit No. 10, proving she can keep the hits coming. Short N’ Sweet is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Over on the Singles Chart, Rosé and Bruno Mars are holding court with their duet, “APT.” The infectious track secured its 10th non-consecutive week at No. 1, firmly establishing itself as the song of the summer Down Under.

The success of “APT.” extends beyond just the Australian charts. Globally, the track has been a powerhouse, topping the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for an 11th week each. In November, the song debuted as the stars’ second leader on each list.

For Rosé, it’s her first solo chart-topper, adding to her success with BLACKPINK’s 2022 No. 1, “Pink Venom.” Bruno Mars, meanwhile, continues to rack up accolades, with “APT.” marking his fourth No. 1 single in Australia and his longest-running yet.

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is also making noise on the ARIA Albums Chart with his seventh studio album, Debi Tirar Más Fotos.

The record skyrocketed from No. 99 to No. 16, marking Bunny’s first appearance in the ARIA Top 50. A three-time GRAMMY winner and Spotify’s most-streamed artist from 2020 to 2022, Bad Bunny’s influence knows no bounds. His latest album has already made a mark on the Billboard Charts, debuting at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, marking Bad Bunny’s seventh top-ten entry.

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Kobalt Signs Tim Finn to Global Publishing Deal

Tim Finn, the celebrated New Zealand singer and songwriter, has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Kobalt.

Announced this week, Kobalt will administer Finn’s entire catalog of songs, which includes Split Enz’s “I Hope I Never,” “I See Red” and “Six Months In A Leaky Boat,” and Crowded House’s “Four Seasons In One Day,” “It’s Only Natural,” and “Weather With You”.

“We are thrilled to announce this new partnership with Tim Finn, a legendary figure in the world of music,” comments Simon Moor, managing director of Kobalt for the APAC region. “From his groundbreaking work with Split Enz to his contributions to Crowded House and his illustrious solo career, Tim has consistently showcased his incredible songwriting talent.”

Adds Finn: “Simon Moor and his team at Kobalt are energised music lovers. I’m excited to see what we can do together. It feels like a new chapter is waiting to be written for me and my songs.”

Finn formed Split Enz in his homeland in the early 1970s. By the time Split Enz called it a day in December 1984, the band had banked a treasure chest of hits, including “Message to My Girl,” “My Mistake”, “Dirty Creatures” and many more.

At that stage, Finn had already launched his solo career. His debut from 1983, Escapade, cracked the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 161.

Finn briefly joined forces with his younger brother and former Split Enz bandmate Neil on the third Crowded House project, Woodface, released in 1991. Woodface hit No. 82 on the Billboard 200.

Split Enz was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. Crowded House’s elevation came in 2016.

Finn’s latest work has included songs and soundtracks for film, television and musical theater, including Ladies in Black, for which he received a Helpmann Award for best new Australian work. His most recent solo album, 2021’s Caught by the Heart, is a collaboration with Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera, who produced the Split Enz album from 1976, Second Thoughts.

Boasting 13 global offices, Kobalt serves over 1 million songs, representing the likes of Roddy Ricch, Max Martin, Karol G, Andrew Watt, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lumineers, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney and others.

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Duran Duran Salutes ‘Creative Superhero’ David Lynch

Duran Duran has paid tribute to the late American filmmaker David Lynch, whose brilliant and bizarre films laid the inspirational groundwork for a young Nick Rhodes.

Writing on the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band’s Instagram, Rhodes remembers Lynch as “a creative superhero” from “the moment I first saw his film Eraserhead as a teenager.”

The keyboardist continues, “His imagination, innovation, style and humour will remain an enormous inspiration.”

Duran Duran has a special connection with the auteur, who died has following a battle with ill health. Back in 2011, Lynch directed the Duran Duran episode of American Express’ “Unstaged” concert series. “The stranger it is, the more beautiful it will be,” Rhodes, the group’s founding keyboardist, told Billboard.com at the time. “What appeals to us very much about working with David is that we like the way he thinks about things and how he’s always gone out on a limb to make things different than anybody else. He works completely outside of the system, and that’s what we try to do. I think the combustion between us and David should create something that nobody’s ever seen before, something mysterious and magical and surprising.”

A new cut of Duran Duran: Unstaged was released in cinemas in 2014, starring the original band members Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor, plus guest performers Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Beth Ditto (Gossip), Kelis and Mark Ronson. The following year, Duran Duran delivered a three-song finale at a concert tribute to the music of Lynch.

Lynch’s death at 78 comes just five months after he announced that he was housebound over fears he’ll contract COVID-19 after being diagnosed with emphysema from many years of smoking.

A native of Missoula, Montana, Lynch was a master of the surreal, whose dark cinematic touches are known to the creative community as “Lynchian”. Several of his films scored Oscar nominations, including The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. Though he never won a competitive Academy Award, Lynch was presented with an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2019.

“Curious about the unknown and never afraid of a dark alley, he was an uncompromising, experimental artist, with a truly unique vision,” writes Duran Duran’s Rhodes, in a post that’s accompanied with a candid photo of Lynch and Rhodes comparing cameras, with the band’s drummer Roger Taylor looking on.

Thanks in part to the inspiration provided by Lynch, Rhodes has pursued the art of photography since his youth, and has exhibited collections and published several books on his works. “Sadly,” Rhodes writes, “the weather today in California is stormy and there is no lucky number.”

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Mac Miller’s Posthumous Album ‘Balloonerism’ Is Here: Stream It Now

Mac Miller’s estate has finally gifted fans with Balloonerism, a posthumous album that has been the subject of speculation for years.

Released on Jan. 17, the album arrives days ahead with what would have been Miller’s 33rd birthday. The Pittsburgh rapper died in 2018 at age 26 of an accidental overdose.

Balloonerism is a 14-track journey that showcases Miller’s experimental side, blending neo-soul and jazz elements. The album kicks off with “Tambourine Dream” and features standout tracks like “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” “Friendly Hallucinations,” “Mrs. Deborah Downer,” “Stoned,” “Manakins,” and “Rick’s Piano.” Notably, the album includes collaborations with artists such as Thundercat, SZA, and Ashley All Day.

The origins of Balloonerism trace back to 2014, a prolific period for Miller during which he was also working on projects like Faces. Despite its significance, the album was shelved in favor of other releases, leaving fans to piece together unofficial versions circulating online.

Following the circulation of leaked songs amongst fan communities, the record’s official release was teased with a trailer at November’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival.

Miller’s family previously shared a statement on his Instagram explaining why they’ve decided to release the project. “Many of Malcolm’s fans are aware of Balloonerism, a full length album that Malcolm created around the time of the release of Faces in 2014,” they wrote.

“It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm — to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately GO:OD AM and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence.”

They added, “We believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have been circulating online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world.”

Based on the lyrics and music of Miller, and directed by Samuel Jerome Mason, the animated Balloonerism “follows a group of school friends who are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world”, a synopsis of the film reads. “Swallowed by the turtle of time, they must plod through the underbelly of adulthood.”

The film was released on Jan. 15 throughout the U.S., with international fans receiving it one day later. A series of “One Night Only” advance theater screenings were scheduled around the world, including in New York City and Miller’s native Pittsburgh, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France, Canada, and the U.K.

Miller’s debut studio album, Blue Slide Park, topped the Billboard 200 upon its release in back in 2011, the first independently distributed debut album to do so since 1995. Over the course of five studio albums, Miller evolved into one of the most eclectic artists of the 2010s, delving into alt-rap, soul and R&B with equal fervor.

Following Miller’s untimely death in September 2018, his music saw renewed interest on the charts. His album “Swimming” re-entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200, jumping from number 71 to number 6.

Fans can cop a physical version of the album, which includes a limited-edition deluxe two-LP pressing that features a rainbow foil-wrapped slipcase with white splatter cloud vinyl and a 32-page color booklet featuring photos and lyrics, as well as a limited one-time pressing that features clear vinyl available now on balloonerism.com.

Stream Balloonerism below.

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Rush’s Members Might Still Jam Together, but a Reunion Isn’t Happening

When Rush walked off the stage in California on Aug. 1, 2015 and closed out their R40 Live Tour, fans remained hopeful it wouldn’t be their last live show. After almost a decade, and the passing of their longtime drummer, the surviving members of the Canadian prog-rock outfit have made peace with there not being another Rush show.

Earlier this month, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist Geddy Lee spoke to Classic Rock about the regret they felt about shortening their final tour, apologizing to the British and European fans who didn’t get a chance to see them perform live. “I really felt like I let our British and European fans down,” Lee explained. “It felt to me incorrect that we didn’t do it, but Neil was adamant that he would only do thirty shows and that was it.”

Ultimately, it was drummer Neil Peart that put an end to the chances of more shows, announcing his retirement from music later that year. While Lifeson confirmed the group’s inactivity in 2018, Peart’s passing in 2020 put an end to any potential future for Rush.

In 2022, however, Lifeson and Lee reunited in public to perform as part of the tribute shows in Los Angeles and London for late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Though these performances were well-received and undoubtedly left fans eager for more, Lifeson has explained to Classic Rock that he’s satisfied where Rush left things.

“The energy was fantastic around that show, I know, and some days I wake up wanting to go out and tour again and some days I don’t,” Lifeson explained. “For forty years Rush included Neil, and I don’t think putting some new version together would have the same magic.

“After those two gigs and the months of prep Ged and I went through, I was excited by the response and to be in the dressing room again with so many fellow artists in Wembley and LA I respected and felt a kinship towards. But after a few weeks that wore off and it occurred to me that despite all the pain of loss, Rush went out on a high note playing as well as ever with one of our best stage shows on R40. I guess I’d rather be remembered for that legacy than returning as the top Rush tribute band.”

Since Rush’s untimely dissolution, Lifeson and Lee have remained active in the world of music. While the former performs as part of the Envy of None supergroup, the latter penned a memoir titled My Effin’ Life in 2023. However, the pair still live close by and regularly get together and jam, though there’s no saying if these collaborations will lead to anything.

“It’s good to jam with friends as you get older,” says Lifeson. “I need to play. Once a week I go to Ged’s – it’s in the calendar – keep my fingers moving, play Rush stuff, new jams. We do record it, but I couldn’t even begin to tell you where it’ll go.”

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Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh Makes $1M per Year Thanks to MTV’s ‘Ridiculousness’ Theme

When Devo opened their 1978 album Q. Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! with “Uncontrollable Urge”, few listeners could have foreseen how much money it would generate decades down the line – especially not its writer.

Fans of Devo would note that “Uncontrollable Urge” was never released as a single, despite its status as one of their most played songs. Nor was it their most successful track on the charts – that honor belongs to 1980’s “Whip It”, which peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 after being issued as the second single from Freedom of Choice. However, it’s far from their biggest earner.

As co-founding Devo vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh told Rolling Stone, even though “Whip It” became a staple of the burgeoning MTV network in the early ’80s, his biggest success has indeed come via the channel, but in a manner that was wholly unexpected: MTV’s ubiquitous Ridiculousness.

When Ridiculousness first launched in 2012, the viral video series used a cover of “Uncontrollable Urge” by host Rob Dyrdek. Over 12 years later, the program boasts over 1,500 episodes, becoming a staple of MTV in the process. Famously, the show saturates the network so much that in August 2020, The Ringer noted it was played on repeat for 36 hours straight. Two months earlier, Variety noted that 113 of a single week’s 168 hours (or 67.3%) were filled with episodes of Ridiculousness.

For Mothersbaugh – who has penned music for beloved series such as Rugrats and Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and scored films for directors such as Wes Anderson – the revenue from the ubiquity of Ridiculousness generates around $1 million annually, according to estimates from his wife and manager Anita Greenspan

“I’ve written so many other songs for films and television shows,” Mothersbaugh explained. “I would’ve been shocked [years ago] if you told me this is the one that would become this prime source of income.”

“It’s ironic and kind of funny,” adds Greenspan. “In the beginning of MTV you saw a lot of Devo because they were early to make videos, but MTV started questioning the videos Devo were making. [The videos] were subversive, they didn’t like them and wouldn’t play them anymore. Now ‘Uncontrollable Urge’ is easily the most-played song on MTV, so [Devo] wins.’”

Despite the massive exposure the world has had to “Uncontrollable Urge” thanks to Ridiculousness, it’s far from the first big earner that Mothersbaugh has had in the world of music. As Greenspan told Rolling Stone, his theme song to Rugrats managed to pay for their home back in the ’90s.

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After 50 Years, Sammy Hagar Says He’s Sick of Touring

After more than five decades in the musical game, the touring life has begun to take its toll on Sammy Hagar, with the rock veteran admitting he no longer wants to take his music on the road.

The 77-year-old Hagar made the admission while speaking to The Miami Herald ahead of a recent guest appearance at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where he expressed his disdain with the grueling nature of the touring cycle.

“I don’t think I want to go on tour anymore. I hate to say that, because I don’t want to piss my fans off,” Hagar explained. “I’ll go out and do a one-off show and do things like that, but the residency is going to give me a good extension of my career. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

The Red Rocker’s comments came just months after his The Best of All Worlds Tour, which saw him perform throughout the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Even then, a series of Birthday Bash performances throughout Mexico and Las Vegas followed, with 2025 set to feature a number of performances for Hagar, namely his The Best of All Worlds Tour Residency in Las Vegas throughout April and May.

As Hagar explains, it’s residencies and similar events that work best with his desires to continue within the world of live music.

“With this, I don’t have to travel, I don’t have to unpack and pack and get on an airplane every day,” he continued. “You know, at my age, it hurts my shoulders to do all this. And I have to perform. I’m a performer, at the end of the day.

“I keep telling my manager, ‘Don’t take any tours, let me do this residency,’” Hagar added. “If I like it enough, I’ll do another one. And if that’s successful I’ll do another one, and I can squeeze a few more years out of my career.”

Hagar last released a studio album in 2022, issuing Crazy Times with his band The Circle. That album was also promoted with a series of dates throughout North America, though it remains their last large-scale tour to date.

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Marcello Hernández Tries & Fails to Rap GloRilla’s ‘Yeah Glo!’ in Spanish in New ‘SNL’ Promo

Dave Chappelle is set to host Saturday Night Live for the fourth time this weekend (Jan. 18), with GloRilla making her musical guest debut.

In a promotional clip for the upcoming episode posted on Thursday (Jan. 16), SNL fan-favorite cast member Marcello Hernández says, “Man, what a chaotic time in the world. I’m so glad that you’re here to bring us together and remind us of what makes us human.”

When Chappelle goes to thank him, Hernández hilariously clarifies, “I was actually talking to GloRilla.” An immediately flattered Glo then tells the comedian, “Thanks, BB!”

Elsewhere in the promo, Hernández tells GloRilla how much he loves her 2024 hit, “Yeah, Glo!,” explaining to the rapper that “if it was in Spanish, it would be like ‘Si, Glo!’”

“Oh, I like that. You gonna keep going?” Glo asks, wondering if he’ll deliver the expletive-filled hook in Spanish as well. “I don’t know, I gotta translate,” a flustered Hernández replies with a laugh.

GloRilla’s SNL debut comes three months after the release of the Memphis rapper’s debut solo album, Glorious, which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The project spawned the single “TGIF,” which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, Glo’s highest-reaching unaccompanied entry on the chart.

Watch the promo below, and catch the full episode of Saturday Night Live on Jan. 18 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC, before it begins streaming on Peacock.

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Wendy Williams Believes Diddy ‘Will Go to Prison for Life’

Wendy Williams and her niece called in to The Breakfast Club recently to speak with her old protégé Charlamagne on her health, the conservatorship she’s apparently in and her thoughts on Diddy, who is currently awaiting trial on multiple charges which includes sex trafficking.

Towards the end of the conversation, Charlamagne brought up the time Wendy was allegedly fired from her job at New York’s Hot 97 to prove that she’s not impaired. “As far as Diddy, Diddy will go to prison for life, people,” she said. “You don’t know things that I do about Diddy back in the day. And you wanna know what? It’s about time, people. It is about time. Diddy done.”

In October of last year, British tabloid the Daily Mail got in touch with Wendy to get her thoughts on Diddy in which she said, “It is about time.”

When it comes to her health and the conservatorship, the former talk show and radio host said that she’s not impaired or incapacitated and is capable of making her own decisions. “I am not cognitively impaired, but I feel like I am in prison,” she said in the beginning of the interview. “I’m in New York City. … I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s.”

She alleges her current guardian Sabrina Morrissey is abusing the conservatorship and controlling her money. Wendy also says she doesn’t have access to a laptop or iPad, and can only make calls one-way to family and friends, while they can’t call her.

Back in 2023, Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. At least that was according to a press announcement.

You can watch the full interview below.

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So ‘Popular’: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s Sold-Out ‘Wicked’ Dolls Are Back in Stock

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Wicked is officially a hit, and it’s not just the movie that’s doing big numbers — the most anticipated movie musical of the year officially sold out its doll collection when it was first released, but fans now have another chance to pick up the Barbie-inspired figurines.

The Wicked dolls inspired by Ariana Grande’s Glinda, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Marissa Bode’s Nessarose were released in September and Billboard offered an exclusive look at the full collection, which features seven dolls, including singing Elphaba and Glinda dolls, and fashion dolls showcasing signature looks from Glinda, Elphaba and Nessarose.

buy wicked dolls online

The Singing Elphaba Fashion Doll ($24.99) was available exclusively at Target, but it’s no longer in stock. The doll belts out “Defying Gravity” and yes, you can sing along! The Elphaba doll takes its wardrobe cues from Elphaba’s school days at Shiz University — a black gown, pointed hat and chunky heeled shoes. Target also carries other Wicked merch that fans can order online, such as the Lego dormitory collectible and Emerald City collectible sets.

As for the other dolls, they are back in stock (as of this writing) at sites like Amazon and Walmart but we recommend adding them to cart soon before they disappear again. Here are the official Wicked dolls you can still buy online.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo ‘Wicked’ Barbie Doll: Buy In Stock Online

Mattel Wicked Deluxe Glinda Doll

$39.99

BUY NOW at Amazon

The Good Witch is ready for Oz in a spellbinding ruffled, pink ball gown featuring “iridescent foil bubble detailing.” This set includes a wand and tiara.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo ‘Wicked’ Barbie Doll: Buy In Stock Online

Mattel Wicked Deluxe Elphaba Doll

$49.99

Buy Now On Amazon

Introducing, the Wicked Witch of the West! This deluxe Elphaba fashion doll dons a dramatic cape worn over a black, sheer dress with purple undertones. And she wouldn’t be complete without her broom, satchel and pointed hat.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo ‘Wicked’ Barbie Doll: Buy In Stock Online

Mattel Universal Wicked Glinda Fashion Doll

$24.99

Buy Now On Amazon

The Glinda Barbie doll looks performance-ready in a soft pink dress inspired by one worn in the movie. Her dress is removable and interchangeable, and this set also includes a pair of pink heels, clutch, and long blonde hair with hair clips for styling.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo ‘Wicked’ Barbie Doll: Buy In Stock Online

Mattel Universal Wicked Elphaba Fashion Doll

$24.99

Buy Now On Amazon

You can also get an official Elphaba Barbie doll featuring her black dress with lace sleeves, pointy black hat, shoulder bag and boots.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo ‘Wicked’ Barbie Doll: Buy In Stock Online

Mattel Wicked Nessarose Fashion Doll & Accessories

$24.99

BUY Now at Amazon

Nessarose’s doll features a manual, golden wheelchair with intricate detailing throughout. The doll wears a tan dress with detailed texture prints and red trim and jeweled slippers.

Grande and Erivo shared a sneak peek at the Wicked dolls on Instagram over the summer. “What a dream come true to be realized as Elphaba and Glinda in the form of Sweet Little dolls. Little Cynthia and Little Ari are pleased,” the Oscar-nominated actress wrote at the time.

Mattel did a great job of capturing their likeness, down to the tiniest details — from wardrobe to hairstyles, makeup and even “baby hair,” as Erivo pointed out.

“It’s perfect,” Grande said while looking at the doll. “I love that it got my anxious eyebrows,” she joked.

Wicked tells the origin stories of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship forged with Glinda the Good Witch. The blockbuster musical, directed by Jon Chu, hit theaters on Nov. 22 and is available to stream on-demand now.

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