Bette Midler sang her updated version of Woody Guthrie’s 1940s protest classic “All You Fascists (Bound to Lose)” as she accepted the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday (Oct. 16). Just so no one missed the message, she wore a T-shirt embossed with the blunt song title.

“Justice doesn’t always come from the courthouse,” Midler said in accepting the award. “Sometimes the law is late, overdressed, and on the wrong side. Justice comes from a beat-up guitar instead… So, when I wanted to say something about what I was seeing going on today, I took his [Woody’s] song, and I put new words in its mouth, because the old fights came back in new suits. They always do.”

She continued, “Thank you for accepting me, and for letting me rewrite the song, that became my small contribution to the Resistance. We’re having a knife fight in a phone booth. These are hard and terrible times. A war is being waged against us, and we are all being drafted. Whether the letter arrives or not. Thank you for noticing that I showed up for duty.”

Midler released her spirited version of Guthrie’s song on YouTube in April, accompanied by this message: “You know I’ve been around a long time, but I have never lived through what we are living through now. The great Woody Guthrie wrote this song many years ago. I changed some of the words to fit our times, and I hope you’ll sing it when you are marching. Because sometimes people, sometimes you just gotta SING OUT!”

Midler had teamed with Eric Kornfeld to write her derivative of Guthrie’s protest classic. She also executive produced the video, which was directed by Toni Basil and Seanne Farmer. The video featured cameos by such celebrities as Barbara Hershey, Midler’s co-star in Beaches, and David Hyde Pierce, her co-star in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!

“She [Midler] woke up our neighborhood this year with her powerful rendition of ‘All You Fascists (Bound To Lose),’” Guthrie’s granddaughter, Anna Canoni, said at the event. “She brought Woody back to the fight, back to the protest, the rallies, the ongoing struggle for democracy, and humanity. We are absolutely honored that she has joined our remarkable community of artists who have also carried Woody’s words and music to the fight.”

Cady Shaw, senior director of the Woody Guthrie Center (which hosts the annual award presentation), added: “Because beneath the glamour, the spectacular voice, and that sharp sense of humor is a woman who understands something Woody knew all along. That we all have a responsibility to leave this world a little better than we found it. And that is precisely what the Woody Guthrie Prize celebrates. It recognizes artists whose contributions extend far beyond their creative achievements, individuals who have demonstrated the courage to speak up, and the determination to turn their convictions into meaningful action. Bette Midler embodies that spirit beautifully.”

Preceding the presentation, Midler was interviewed onstage by music journalist Rona Elliot.

A silent auction featured a signed ukulele from Midler’s personal collection, along with other items from her archive; a signed lithograph by Bob Dylan; rare prints of Dylan and related artists; a premium ticket package from the Oklahoma City Thunder; and tickets to one of Garth Brooks’ upcoming Tulsa shows.

Rising country artist Bryan Andrews performed a selection of original songs including “Yeehaw,” as well as leading an audience sing-along of Guthrie’s most famous song, “This Land Is Your Land.”

The event served as a fundraiser to support the center’s educational programs, public concerts, and exhibitions. 

The Woody Guthrie Prize seeks to recognize artists who reflect Guthrie’s belief that music can be a force for social justice and change. Guthrie died in 1967 at age 55.

Midler, 80, has won three Grammys, three Primetime Emmys and a Tony (plus a non-competitive Tony). She has received two Oscar nominations. She would likely have received the Kennedy Center Honors by now, but President Trump has said that he struck potential honorees who were, in his words, “too woke.”

Here’s a complete list of recipients of the Woody Guthrie Prize:

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Becky G Opens Up About Identity and Mental Health at Project Healthy Minds Event

Becky G brought Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival to a powerful close on Saturday (Oct. 10) in New York with an intimate conversation on identity, creativity and mental health. Moderated by NBC News correspondent Morgan Radford, the panel gave the Mexican American star space to reflect on growing up in the public eye, protecting her peace and learning to tell her story on her own terms.

“The whole concept of being a role model is to model this idea of perfection, and I don’t think that is real at all,” Becky G said. “Instead of being a role model, I’ve always felt the responsibility to be a real model, which means I’m not going to have all the answers. I’m not going to get it right every single time.”

She also spoke candidly about therapy, family and her healing journey, saying: “I had to become the person that I needed most, and that’s when Becky G came to be.” The conversation arrives just days before she is scheduled to join Billboard’s Latin Music Week for a Superstar Q&A this Wednesday (Oct. 21).

BMI Creates Space for Women Songwriters in Música Mexicana

“Música mexicana has historically been a male-dominated field, making it more important than ever to champion the women creatives who are shaping its future,” said Lilibeth Patron, BMI’s associate director of creative for Latin, in a statement. “Las Compositoras+ is about fostering community and creating space for connection and collaboration.”

Led by singer-songwriter Erika Vidrio, the camp began at the Fender offices before moving to a Bel Air house, where the participants spent several days developing new music together. Held in Los Angeles earlier this month and announced Sept. 30, the four-day retreat brought together Damaris Bojor, Lorena Cabral, Tania Dominguez, Poe Leos, MXKA, Marián Oviedo, Jacqie Rivera and Adriana Ríos to collaborate and write new songs for potential placements.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Receive iHeartRadio’s Corazón Latino Award

Lin-Manuel Miranda will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award during iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina on Saturday (Oct. 17) at Miami’s Kaseya Center. Hosted by Enrique Santos and Dayanara Torres, the concert event will feature performances by Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Farruko, Manuel Turizo, Eladio Carrión, FloyyMenor, Greeicy, Alleh and Rey Tony y Helabusador “Los Titi.”

The award recognizes Miranda’s lasting contributions to Latin music and culture, while the event will also bring together artists and presenters from across entertainment. A free kickoff party will take place Oct. 15 at Miami Design District, featuring Tony Succar’s “Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson” with special guests including Anthony Ramos, Leslie Grace and Howie D of the Backstreet Boys. The main event will broadcast across iHeartRadio’s Latin stations nationwide.

Latin Recording Academy Announces 2026 Leading Ladies of Entertainment

The Latin Recording Academy announced its 2026 Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees on Oct. 6, recognizing four women whose work has shaped Latin music and the broader entertainment industry: María Fernández, Sandra Jiménez, Salomé Limón and María Rosa García “Niña Pastori.”

The 10th anniversary class represents executive leadership, digital innovation, music production and artistry. Fernández is chief operating officer of Sony Music Entertainment Latin Iberia; Jiménez is YouTube’s regional director and head of music for Latin America and U.S. Latin; Limón is a five-time Latin Grammy-winning producer, composer and engineer; and Niña Pastori is a six-time Latin Grammy winner and Grammy nominee.

The honorees will be celebrated during Latin Grammy Week in Las Vegas, with Amazon Music returning as presenting sponsor for the third consecutive year. They will also be invited to mentor the next generation of women through the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation’s Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program.

Diddy was reportedly transferred to a Pennsylvania federal prison following a physical altercation earlier this week, and 50 Cent wasted no time in trolling Combs on Friday (Oct. 16).

The G-Unit mogul has been busy in promo mode for his Street Fighter movie, which hit theaters on Friday, but he made sure to carve out a few seconds to stay updated on the Diddy saga behind bars.

“Diddy on the move, he gonna turn up in this next joint on gang,” he quipped on IG. The second slide had 50’s followers in stitches, as he posted a wind-up toy resembling Diddy that was blowing bubbles out of his butt. “Yoo this nicca the worst son nah lollll yall niccas stupid son,” Bobby Shmurda wrote.

TMZ reported that Combs had been transferred from FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey to Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood in Pennsylvania. Diddy was allegedly involved in a confrontation with another inmate that left him hospitalized with a head injury, but both Diddy‘s family and the Bureau of Prisons denied reports about the alleged dispute between the disgraced Bad Boy mogul and Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is the leader of an infamous Jamaican crime organization.

50 Cent was behind last year’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning docuseries detailing Diddy’s case and history of alleged sexual abuse, which the Queens rapper won an Emmy for.

The “In Da Club” rapper appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday (Oct. 14) where he reacted to reports of Combs watching the series about his downfall in prison. “He saw the whole thing… I’m sure (he) thought it was the best documentary he ever saw in his life,” 50 said.

Combs was sentenced to 50 months behind bars in October 2025 after being convicted on two charges of prostitution transportation, which is a violation of the Mann Act. Diddy is currently scheduled to be released in March 2028.

Billboard has reached out to Diddy’s reps for comment.

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys stopped by Michael Jackson‘s house shortly before the King of Pop’s untimely death back in 2009. The Bronx record producer recently stopped by The Real Report With Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda and revealed that Jackson apparently had a crush on his R&B superstar wife.

Swizz didn’t feel offended or disrespected or anything like that. He actually thought it was kind’ve “cool” and took initiative to set a meet-up between the two singers.

“I found out that Michael had a crush on my wife. In a cool way, but Michael’s a virgo, so I don’t know. I’m a virgo,” he said jokingly. “And so I think Janet was the one that told A.K. and she was like, ‘You know, my brother always had a crush on you.’ So I thought it was cool to set up for her to meet him. Just for both of them to just have that moment as fans of each other.”

He added: “We set up the meeting at the crib. We go to the house, Michael was so cool Michael was so cool, bro. Just seeing him in his real element. He had his beautiful kids there. I remember we brought gifts for the kids and he was just excited about going on a tour. He was just like, ‘Yo, when I do this, I’mma hit ’em with that,’ showing A.K. some of his moves.”

He also raved about a jerk lobster dish that Mike’s Jamaican personal chef made and said he offered him his framed Thriller plaques after Swizz said he noticed them sitting on the floor propped up on a wall, but he said no because he didn’t want to seem too “thirsty,” even after Mike dismissed them as “just things.”

You can watch the full conversation below.