All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Labor Day is almost here. If your holiday weekend will consist of shopping for great savings, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, find a roundup of the best early sales to shop ahead of Labor Day weekend. The alphabetized list includes clothing, beauty, electronics, appliances, shoes and other great deals from Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Lowe’s, Tory Burch, Bloomingdale’s, Carter’s, Nike and other retailers.

The 25 Best Sales to Shop for Labor Day:

Amazon — When you need to order something in a hurry, Amazon never fails! Save up to 50% off Labor Day sale items including electronics, power tools, streaming devices, clothing, shoes, beauty products, home improvement items, Blu-rays, DVDs and tons more.

Ambercrombie & Fitch — Save 25% off select styles, plus an extra 15% off during the Long Weekend Sale.

Bloomingdale’s – Take an extra 30% off clearance items for a savings of up to 65% off during Bloomingdale’s Labor Day Sale.

Carter’s – The clothing retailer is offering 50% off in stores and online for Labor Day.

Coach – Insiders can save up to 25% off select styles during the Coach Labor Day Weekend Event. Save an extra 20% off select styles at Coach Outlet.

DermaFlash  — Shop the 25% off Everything Labor Day Sale. Use code: GLOWON to save on the Sonic Skincare.

GlassesUSA — Up to 40% off select frames during the GlassesUSA Labor Day sale.

Home Depot — Shop Labor Day savings on appliances, grills, patio furniture, outdoor power equipment and more. Savings include up to 50% off select patio furniture and up to 30% off home security cameras.

Nike – Save up to 50% on select styles. No code needed.

Nordstrom – Up to 60% off select clothing, accessories and shoes.

Target – Save 20% off clothing, shoes and accessories; 40% off furniture, up to 40% off headphones and speakers and other deals.

Urban Outfitters — Take an extra 40% off all sales styles (in stores and online).

Walmart – Save up to 65% weekly flash deals, plus shop Labor Day deals on outdoor cooking items, PC gaming items, mattresses, clothing and accessories and other deals.

Z Gallerie – Up to 40% off everything, online and in stores. Up to 70% off clearance items and an extra 20% off with code: EXTRA20.

To help you save some time, we collected a list of deals you should know about. And be sure to read our roundup of laptop deals, air conditioners, and the best Labor Day mattress sales.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Project Cloud Genuine Leather Footbed Clogs for Women

$38.16 $44.90 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Slip-on clogs.


These women’s Project Cloud clogs are just as cozy as Birkenstocks, but for half the price. Retailing for $38.16, the slip-on style features ultra-comfy cork footbeds that mold to the wearer’s feet, cushioning each step. The uppers are made of vegan leather meant to mimic suede, a stylish on-trend finish for fall. Sizing options range from 5.5 to 11. The colorways for this model are endless but we like the Tan Suede color scheme the best.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Ninja Air Fryer

$89.99 $129.99 31% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A black air fryer from Ninja.


This Ninja Air Fryer is currently 31% off. The model roasts, crisps, dehydrates and re-heats. You’ve also got a max tempurature of 400F. The included basket is non-stick and equipped with a crisper plate that gets things toast in no time. What more could you need?

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Amazon Echo Dot

$37.99 $49.99 24% off

Buy Now On Amazon

An Amazon Echo Dot.


This Amazon Echo Dot is great for the bedroom, living room, bathroom and just about any room you can think of. The Echo Dot is currently on sale for $37.99 on Amazon and features improved audio compared to other models. The new Dot is a control-compatible smart home device that can be activated with your voice. You can set up a routine in your home triggered by utilizing built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Need help? The Echo Dot also has a built-in Alexa that will help you do everything from making grocery lists to telling you the weather.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Beats Studio Pro

$179.95 $349.99 49% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Black Beats headphones.


Amazon is currently running some major Labor Day deals on music tech like these Beats Studio Pro headphones. The style is currently on sale for $179.95, which is 49% off the og price. These headphones are wireless, Bluetooth, noise-cancelling and they also have a whopping 40 hours of battery life. What’s not to love?

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit 9-Tool with 2-Batteries, Charger and Tool Bag

A multi-piece tool kit.


This tool kit is a $1,588 value for just $599. You’ve got all you need to tackle any job from hanging a shelf to cleaning up your yard. Tools in the kit include an M18 1/2″ Drill / Driver, M18 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver, M18 HACKZALL Recip Saw, M18 Multi Tool, M18 Brushless 1/2″ High-Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring and an M18 6 ½” Circular Saw, among other tools.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

GLAMBURG Ultra Soft 8-Piece Towel Set Hot Pink

$26.27 $27.99 6% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A hot pink eight-piece towel set.


An eight-piece towel set for $26? That’s a steal in our book. This set is on sale at Amazon and available in seven colors including hot pink, blue, black, charcoal, orange, green and burgundy. Each set contains 2 oversized bath towels 27×54, 2 hand towels 16×28 & 4 washcloths 13×13 all made of 100% cotton. Click here for more expensive towels.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Shark IQ Robot Vacuum AV970

$319.99 $399.99 20% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A vaccume controlled with an app.


Clean up time! For those of you who like to clean during a long holiday weekend, save up to 45% off Shark robot vacuums at Amazon. The vaccume can be controlled through the SharkClean app or voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, making for a hands-free experience. This bad boy has powerful suction capabilities and features a self-cleaning brushroll that removes all sorts of hair and dander. Even charging this vaccume is hands-free. Once it’s on low batter, the vaccume will return to the dock to charge up for its next cleaning session.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Mingdaln Smart Watch in Gold

$25.99 $199.99 87% off

Buy Now at walmart

A smart watch compatible with Android and iPhone.


All that glitters is really gold, at least with this gold Mingdaln Smart Watch. The tech is currently a whopping 87% off at Walmart. One key detail that make this product so great is it’s wide compatibility with both Android and iPhone products. The watch is also waterproof and extremely durable. It also has a built-in pedometer, language assistant, music player, mini-games, remote-controlled photography, weather updates, noise detection, stopwatch, calculator, flashlight, alarm clock, and calendar. The additional features are endless. This would make a great gift for the tech whizz in your life.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Tom Ford ‘Whitney’ 64mm Open Side Sunglasses in Dark Gray

$269.50 $490 45% off

Buy Now at nordstrom

Wide-lense dark gray designer sunglasses.


These Tom Ford sunnies are 45% off at Nordstrom and they’re a popular pick — more than 100 people are eyeing them at press time. The frames are wide and chic while the lenses boast a smokey dark gray hue. If you’re looking for statment-making sunnies, look no further.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$169.99 $249.99 32% off

Buy Now at target

Wireless second gen earbuds from Apple.


AirPods are back on sale! Get them for 32% off before the price goes back up again. These from Target are wireless, noise-cancelling and pack clear and crisp sound despite their size.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

TCL 32” Class S3 (32S331) 720p HD LED Smart TV 

$97 $108 10% off

Buy Now at walmart

32 inch LED HD Roku Smart TV.


Looking to watch the big game in crystal-clear HD? How about streaming the latest blockbuster film with movie theater-quality sound? This 32-inch TLC TV can do all that and more, and its on sale for $97 at Walmart. Stream over 500,000 movies and episodes of TV, live sports and more in HD (720p) resolution.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

LUGGEX Luggage with Spinner Wheels in Black

$79.99 $129.99 38% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A polycarbonate expandable hard shell suitcase.


This LUGGEX carry-on suitcase is 38% off for Labor Day. The suitcase is available in over a dozen different colors including black, silver, white, orange, and champagne. Beyond its extensive colorways, this luggage is durable thanks to the reinforced aluminum corner protectors, protecting your things, and your carry-on, from wear and tear. The carry-on also includes inner lining compartments that allow you to neatly organize your belongings. Say bye bye to overstuffing! This bag is also expandable too.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

All Modern Geo 84-Inch Upholstered Sofa in Charcoal Fabric

$829 $1,750 53% off

Buy Now at wayfair

A cushy 84-inch sofa.


Need a new couch? This 84-inch sofa is 53% off at Wayfair and it earned a 4.7/5-star rating. The couch sits on tapered solid wood legs and is available in over 13 colors including ink blue, emerald, blush and platinum gray. Plush, cozy and super-versatile, this couch boasts a simplistic design that will mesh well with just about any space.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill

$99.99 $109.99 9% off

Buy Now On Amazon

A charcoal grill with a side table.


Grilling season is still here. If you want to cook up on a budget, this Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill is 9% off for Labor Day. The grill has 433 square inches of cooking surface, chrome-plaited stainless steel burners, adjustable fire grates and a temperature monitor. Arguably, the worst part of grilling is the cleanup. No messes here. This grill features a removable charcoal pan that makes ash disposal a breeze.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

GE 27 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator

A silver fridge with french doors.


This GE 27 cu. ft., french door refrigerator features spill-proof shelves for fruits and veggies, LED lighting, humidity-controlled drawers with Turbo Cool and Turbo Freeze settings and an internal water dispenser and ice maker. You’ve got everything you need for success in the kitchen, all in one sleek silver package.

Labor Day 2025: The Best Early Sales to Shop

LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center

$1,698 $2,599 35% off

Buy Now at lowes

A stacked washer and dryer.


This LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center is currently 35% off at Lowes. You’ve got a front-load washer and dryer in white or graphite steel. The washer-dryer duo has a full-size capacity but is half the size of your regular duo. Plus the centralized control panel gives users easy access to settings. To make laundry day even easier, this duo comes with built-in intelligence that takes the guesswork out of the chore.

What would it look like if the “Avengers” of the K-pop industry came together to create a single team? And what if that team was not launched in Seoul, but by the first-ever K-pop label founded in the United States? The answer is AtHeart, who made their dazzling debut in August this year.

The group’s label, Titan Content, was founded by a powerhouse lineup: former SM Entertainment CEO Han Se-min, former SM casting director Kang Jung-ah, world-renowned choreographer Lia Kim, and Dazed Korea founder and current editor-in-chief Lee Guiom. With each of them standing at the top of their respective fields, Titan Content’s establishment in the U.S.—a first for K-pop—made global headlines even before AtHeart’s debut. Media outlets such as Variety and Teen Vogue spotlighted them early on, and Billboard named AtHeart one of the “‘Next-Generation’ K-Pop Group,” further fueling anticipation from fans and industry insiders alike.

The group name AtHeart is a fusion of “Heart” and “At,” symbolizing their aim to grow alongside fans around the world through connection and sincerity. All six members were born between 2007 and 2009, making them a full teenage lineup. Korean members Seohyeon, Arin, Bome, and Nahyun naturally nurtured their idol dreams in environments where K-pop was already part of daily life, from school band stages to music shows. Meanwhile, Katelyn from the Philippines and Michi, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Japan, represent the new generation of global K-pop kids—those first inspired to pursue idol dreams after being captivated by performances from BTS and BLACKPINK.

Though they started from different places, the girls now stand together as one under the name AtHeart. Their multinational makeup is another defining strength. “It’s fun to learn and respect each other’s traditions,” Katelyn says. Bome adds, “Our different cultural and linguistic backgrounds actually make our teamwork stronger,” recalling the day she watched Michi and Katelyn see snow for the first time in Korea, laughing like children at the sight. “Little moments like that made us closer,” she says.

AtHeart officially signaled their arrival on May 29 with pre-debut single “Good Girl (AtHeart),” followed by their August 13 debut EP ‘Plot Twist’. Its title track was produced and written by Jonah Shai, known for working with Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, while Rob Kinelski, who has mixed for Billie Eilish, brought sonic depth to the record. The dreamy EDM track thrives on its layered reversals and is elevated further by powerful choreography from 1MILLION’s Lia Kim, Titan Content’s CPO. Together, the package showcases the kind of performance and musical polish that K-pop fans have come to expect—and AtHeart delivered from the start.

From the outset, their extraordinary path drew global attention—but their story is only just beginning. “Someday, I want us to perform on stages like Coachella or SoFi Stadium,” Katelyn shares, while Bome fondly remembers the purity of seeing the first snowfall with her teammates as trainees. It’s this mix of youthful honesty and global ambition that positions AtHeart as one of K-pop’s most exciting new possibilities. Billboard will be following their flight closely.

Before debut, what first inspired each of you to dream of becoming a K-pop idol?

Arin: always loved dancing, and at first, I dreamed of becoming a dancer. I started with belly dance at a community center, then learned ballet, broadcast dance, and street dance. Eventually I thought, “If I want to share the dances I love with more people, shouldn’t I become a singer?” and my path naturally shifted.

Bome: I was in the school band and often had chances to perform. Each time, I realized I received even more energy from the audience than I gave, and that’s when I thought, “This is truly meaningful to me.” That’s when I decided I wanted to be a singer.

Seohyeon: Singing and dancing were part of my daily life since I was young. Watching idols shine on music shows, I started to think, “I want to be like that someday,” and the dream just kept growing.

Nahyun: My parents love music, and naturally I grew to love it too. I even formed a little idol group with my classmates in elementary school and practiced together. That’s when the dream started to become clear.

Michi: I began training in dance at age three—ballet, tap, hula, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary—and naturally got exposed to a wide range of music. I discovered a passion for singing in middle school through musicals. Then I encountered K-pop and was fascinated by the creative direction of music videos. Seeing BLACKPINK in concert was a turning point in my life. The powerful energy of that performance shaped who I am today.

Katelyn: Being on stage was always a dream, but I never had the chance to attend academies or formal training. During the pandemic, I watched a BTS concert for the first time, and it gave me the courage to tell my mom, “I really want to become a singer, please support me!” From that moment, I began seriously preparing to become an idol.

Offset is back with his new solo album Kiari, his most personal project to date.

The Atlanta rapper’s third solo album serves as the follow up to 2023’s Set It Off, and boasts 18 tracks in total. While elements of Set’s rambunctiousness are still present, the rapper explores a lot of tough subjects on Kiari, including his relationship with his ex-wife Cardi B. In an interview with the Associated Press, Offset said the album’s closer “Move On” would explore his estranged relationship with Cardi, and said his goal with this project was to help usher him into a more peaceful era.

“It’s about moving on, like, peacefully. That’s what the message is supposed to be,” he said. “It’s all love and peace. I just ended the album with that, just to end that chapter because it’s time to move on, it’s over and done with.”

Offset continued: “It was great while it lasted. That shouldn’t be the topic for either one of us no more. It’s a book that’s closed.”

The album is also stacked with plenty of guest appearances, and features collaborations from YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Gunna, YFN Lucci, Ty Dolla $ign, John Legend and Key Glock. Set also mentioned to Ebro Darden the other day that he may soon bury the hatchet with former groupmate Quavo, and even said a joint album is possible. The point is, Offset is clearly set on turning the page with Kiari. with all that in play, let’s get into the album. Here is Billboard‘s ranking of every song on Offset’s third studio album Kiari.

Prince’s estate has fired back at claims that it’s trying to steal the identity of Purple Rain co-star Apollonia, calling the singer’s lawsuit “frivolous” and saying it never tried to stop her from using the stage name.  

A Thursday (Aug. 21) post by the official Prince Instagram account is the estate’s first public comment since Apollonia (Patty Kotero) brought a federal lawsuit earlier this week. Apollonia, who’s best known for playing a character of the same name in Prince’s 1984 film Purple Rain, alleges the estate is unlawfully trying stop her from using the moniker via trademark cancellation proceedings.

Prince’s estate writes in the Instagram post that contrary to Apollonia’s allegations, it “never instructed her to cease using her adopted professional name.” The estate says it merely wants to “preserve Prince’s assets and legacy,” since the pop icon came up with the name “Apollonia” for the Purple Rain movie.

“Ms. Kotero’s unwarranted lawsuit comes at the tail end of years-long disputes before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board concerning trademark registrations, in which rulings are imminent and with respect to which we have sought a settlement numerous times despite her highly unreasonable demands,” writes Prince’s estate. “Unsurprisingly, her suit fails to acknowledge the cancellation of her ‘Apollonia’ registration by the United States Patent & Trademark Office.”

“We look forward to the rulings in the pending trademark proceedings and a dismissal of Ms. Kotero’s recent federal action,” adds the estate.

Apollonia’s lawyers did not return a request for comment on the estate’s Instagram post on Friday (Aug. 22).

The Instagram statement echoes arguments that Prince’s estate has previously made to regulators at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). In legal filings submitted for those proceedings, the estate says it’s fine with Apollonia using this moniker as a stage name but that the trademark itself belongs to Prince’s heirs.

The estate points out in TTAB filings that the “Apollonia” trademark is primarily tied to the girl group Apollonia 6 featured in Purple Rain, whose song from the movie, “Sex Shooter,” became a Billboard Hot 100 hit and spent six weeks on the chart.

“’Apollonia 6’ remains part of American culture through the continued, uninterrupted exploitation of the film Purple Rain and public performances of the Apollonia 6 sound recordings and videos,” the estate says in a TTAB filing from this past May. “The goodwill developed by [Prince] endures, and the ‘Apollonia 6’ mark continues to be recognized as a source identifier for the man who created and produced the group, Prince.”

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Gap is having a major moment this month.

As if their KATSEYE collaboration wasn’t good enough, now Hailey Bieber has been seen rocking the brand’s denim while hanging out in Los Angeles. Bieber’s chosen jeans are a menswear style, namely the UltraSoft ’90s Loose Jeans. The best part? They’re currently on sale for 50% off for a limited time. The 90s-inspired piece originally retails for $79.

The denim is in the color Dark Rinse, a deep indigo hue, and comes in a boxy style that sat low on the model’s hips. The jeans are made of an ultra-soft mix of 59% cotton and 41% tencel and feature loose pant legs and five total pockets. If you’re a woman looking to wear these trousers, we’d suggest sizing down so that the denim fits your waist but still gives you that casual, baggy look. Sizing options for these are slim because of the silhouette’s popularity. If the Dark Rinse colorway isn’t your thing, the jeans also come in a khaki color called Sand.

Here's How To Shop Hailey Bieber-Approved Denim on Sale

Gap UltraSoft ’90s Loose Jeans in Dark Rinse

$39 $79.95 51% off

Buy Now at gap

Baggy low-waisted denim.


Bieber styled her denim in a simplistic manner, worn with a white, cropped tube top. On the accessories front, the model wore thin black 90s-inspired glasses and a black woven Bottega Veneta-esque shoulder bag. On her feet, Bieber styled what looked to be black thong sandal kitten heels.

If you’re looking for a similar style that’ll scratch that baggy denim itch, we suggest Gap’s Extra Baggy Jeans, another unisex style that is also currently on sale. The denim will currently run you $63, 30% off its original price. Like the UltraSoft ’90s Loose Jeans, the Extra Baggy Jeans silhouette is baggy. You’ve also got the same five-pocket detail and roomy pant legs.

Here's How To Shop Hailey Bieber-Approved Denim on Sale

Gap Extra Baggy Jeans

$63 $79.95 21% off

Buy Now at gap

Baggy low-waisted denim.


Both pairs also have no stretch to them. Unlike the UltraSoft model, the Extra Baggy alternative comes in three colorways: Dark Rinse, like Bieber’s choice, Black and Medium Wash. While you might not get the exact style Bieber is wearing due to limited sizing, the Extra Baggy model is basically identical down to the fit and color scheme. To style the Extra Baggy Jeans, we’d likely take a page from Bieber’s book and wear them casually with a tank top or band tee and low-top kicks. If you really want to go for a trendy look, slip on a pair of thong sandals like Bieber.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

If Sundays are for the NFL, Saturdays are for NCAA College Football. The top ranked teams throughout the country compete for glory to the win the College Football Playoff Championship at the end of the season.

Want to watch 2025-26 NCAA Football regular season games online? Here’s what you need to know about how to livestream college football games online.

When Does NCAA Football Season Start?

The 2025-26 NCAA Football season starts on Saturday, Aug. 23 with Iowa State Cyclones taking on Kansas State Wildcats at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, with a start time of 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. Check out a complete NCAA Football schedule here.

What TV Networks Feature College Football?

NCAA college football games broadcast across multiple networks, such as ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox, Fox Sports, NBC, SEC Network and truTV.

Where to Watch NCAA Football for Free

For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch NCAA Football, if you don’t have cable, especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services, such as Fubo, also offer free trials, so you can watch games for free.

Keep reading for more details on how to watch NCAA Football with DirecTV and Fubo.

How to Watch NCAA Football with DirecTV

A subscription to DirecTV — which comes with ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox, Fox Sports, NBC, SEC Network and truTV — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $49.99 for the first month $84.99 per month afterwards. The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.

You can watch local networks such as PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.

How to Watch NCAA Football with Fubo

To watch NCAA Football, Fubo starts at $54.99 for the first month of service $84.99 per month afterwards with nearly 235 channels — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a seven-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.

The service even gets you live access to local broadcast networks including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, The CW, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports, SEC Network and truTV and much more.

Meanwhile, college football games and events are known for celebrity sightings. Famous recording artists have been known to appear at games, including Snoop Dogg, Kenny Chesney, Gucci Mane, Tobey Keith, Adam Duritz, Katy Perry, Darius Rucker and others.

Starting on Saturday, Aug. 23, NCAA Football games broadcast across ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox, Fox Sports, NBC, SEC Network and truTV. The best way to watch is with DirecTV.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox dealsstudio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

Much has changed in the world — and for G-Dragon himself — since the last time the K-pop king embarked on an international trek.

After his 2017 Act III: M.O.T.T.E World Tour played 26 shows around the world in Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania, G-Dragon completed his mandatory military service, exited his longtime label home of YG Entertainment, signed new deals with his Galaxy Corporation agency and EMPIRE distribution, dropped multiple lines of his PEACEMINUSONE Air Force 1 shoes with Nike, began teaching as a visiting professor at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, launched the JusPeace Foundation to combat drug addiction and support artists and other milestones. But with his February comeback album Ubermench, which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard‘s World Albums and No. 10 on Top Album Sales charts, it is now finally time for G-Dragon to return to the stage after eight years away for another globe-trotting adventure.

As previously announced in June, G-Dragon unveiled the “Phase 3” dates for his Ubermench World Tour that expanded the outing to the United States and Europe. GD told Billboard at the time that the show was “about connecting with all of you through music.”

With music as the connection point, and nearly 20 years’ worth in G-Dragon’s packed discography, this grand return to the stage requires a setlist that honors his legacy while also recognizing his latest inspirations. So, before he plays his first shows stateside, here is Billboard‘s dream setlist for the upcoming Ubermench World Tour, which will hopefully include most, if not all, of these global chart hits.

Surprise: Luke Hemmings is a dad! On Friday (Aug. 22), the 5 Seconds of Summer frontman revealed that he and his wife, musician Sierra Deaton, recently welcomed a baby girl without the world knowing.

Related

Sharing a hazy photo of his newborn daughter’s tiny hands, as well as an older snap of a then-pregnant Deaton posing with Hemmings cradling her baby bump, the rocker wrote on Instagram, “Our best kept secret … Written and Produced by Sierra and Luke Hemmings.”

In the comments, Hemmings opened up about his choice to share the news with fans now after previously keeping his child’s birth under wraps. “In our perfect world, we’d keep our daughter a secret forever … for similar reasons we chose to never share our wedding photos from years ago,” he wrote. “However, going into this next album cycle, I’m very aware that her existence would inevitably leak.”

“To avoid any speculation, we’re posting this now and humbly asking for everyone to respect her privacy,” he continued. “If you see us in public, please avoid taking or sharing photos of her as we don’t plan on publicizing her name, birthdate, or face any time in the near future. Thank you for understanding and for the support. All our love, The Hemmings.”

The couple’s new addition comes four years after Hemmings and Deaton got engaged after first beginning their romance in 2018. “With shaking hands but a full heart I proposed to my best friend earlier this year,” the 5SOS star wrote on Instagram at the time. “I love you Thao and I can’t imagine my life without you @sierradeaton.”

As Hemmings hinted in his comment, his band now appears to be gearing up to release new music. Following his 2024 seven-track LP, Boy — which reached No. 99 on the Billboard 200 — the singer joined bandmates Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin for a Nashville studio session in November, as captured in photos on 5SOS’ Instagram account.

Hood also shared an update on the band’s next era in June. The Aussie quartet hasn’t dropped a full-length since 2022’s 5SOS5, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

“We’re always planning,” the bassist teased to Rolling Stone at the time. “There’s always conversations going. There’s always people dreaming up things. ‘What if we do this, what if we do that?’ So fear not, because there’s always something going on.”

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Want to rock out like Anna from Freaky Friday? Well, now you can, thanks to Guitar Center.

The musical instrument retailer put together a small lineup of guitars fans of the family franchise can shop right now on Guitar Center’s website. The lineup includes vintage models to represent Anna’s cherry red guitar in the 2003 film, like the Gibson SG Standard ‘61 Vintage Cherry retailing for $1,999, the Epiphone SG Standard Cherry for $599 and the PRS SE Standard 24 also in a cherry red for $499, the most affordable of the bunch.

The Gibson SG Standard is punchy and raw with a vintage look. The model features a mahogany body and slim taper neck, creating a comfortable fit while playing. The guitar was built for the stage, thanks to the model’s 61R and 61T humbucker pickups that offer sound clarity along with orange drop capacitors and audio taper pots, which keep your tone consistent and musical no matter the volume.

How to Shop Guitar Center's 'Freaky Friday'-Inspired Guitars

Gibson SG Standard ’61 Electric Guitar Vintage Cherry

Vintage bright red electric guitar.


How to Shop Guitar Center's 'Freaky Friday'-Inspired Guitars

Epiphone SG Standard Electric Guitar Cherry

Cherry red electric guitar.


The Epiphone SG Standard is another electric guitar with a cherry red finish, a mahogany body and a slim taper neck, similar to Anna’s in the film. This model is more accessible than our last pick in both price and play. The guitar has that same classic tone and feel, but with more modern enhancements like a pair of Epiphone ProBucker humbuckers and 22 medium-jumbo frets that enhance playability and versatility without losing that vintage feel. The model is perfect for seasoned pros and beginners alike because of its approachability.

This list also includes models inspired by the 2025 film Freakier Friday, channeling those pop-punk vibes from the film. This time around, you’ve got moodier-looking electric guitars like the Fender Player Stratocaster HSS in Dusk retailing for $1,079, the Ibanez RG Series for $479 and the Yamaha Pacifica Series in Sunburst for $229, the most inexpensive option on our list.

The Fender Player II is a perfect pick for all modern genres from pop-punk to alternative music. The guitar features a C-shaped maple neck for ease of use, along with a comfortable 9.5″ radius fingerboard that reduces fatigue for long play sessions, making rocking out feel like a breeze. The guitar delivers a warm sound thanks to a Player II humbucker in the bridge and Noiseless single-coil pickups in the middle and neck.

How to Shop Guitar Center's 'Freaky Friday'-Inspired Guitars

Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster HSS Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Dusk

A black fingerboard electric guitar.


How to Shop Guitar Center's 'Freaky Friday'-Inspired Guitars

Yamaha PAC012DLX Pacifica Series HSS Deluxe Electric Guitar Vintage Sunburst

Vintage electric guitar in Sunburst.


The affordable Yamaha PAC012DLX Pacifica Series is a lightweight vintage model that creates a unique sound. Like our last pick, the Yamaha has an easy-to-use C-shaped maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. You’ve also got a single-coil neck pickup, a single-coil middle pickup and a humbucker bridge pickup that create a slew of tones that help players curate their own unique sound. The guitar also has a position blade switch, master volume control and master tone control that helps the player futher control their sound.

What do music companies in different industries with revenue ranging from $3.9 billion to $23.1 billion have in common? Their CEOs are paid comparably.  

On Tuesday (Aug. 19), Billboard published a recap of the top 20 music executives’ earnings in 2024. Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Spotify, SiriusXM, iHeartMedia, Live Nation, MSG Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment Co. are all represented. Each company’s CEO is on the list except for Spotify’s Daniel Ek, who doesn’t earn an annual salary or bonus (he made ends meet by selling approximately $375 million in stock last year).  

In 2024, the compensation given to most music company CEOs was nearly even when taking into account the amount of their company’s earnings. As a percentage of the company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), or similar measure of profitability, most CEOs’ annual pay fit within a narrow band of 1.30% (for Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl) to 1.83% (iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman).  

Universal Music Group and Live Nation have little in common other than making money primarily from music. They are different types of companies — the former focuses on recorded music and publishing, the latter is involved mainly in live music and ticketing — with different cost structures. In 2024, Live Nation’s $23.1 billion of revenue was nearly double UMG’s $12.8 billion, and UMG’s 15% operating margin was nearly four times Live Nation’s 4%.  

But UMG and Live Nation CEOs’ pay was remarkably similar relative to the companies’ earnings. In 2024, UMG had $2.88 billion of adjusted EBITDA to Live Nation’s $2.15 billion of adjusted operating income (AOI). (Live Nation prefers adjusted AOI over adjusted EBITDA — more on that later.) And as a percentage of EBITDA or AOI, UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge’s and Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino’s 2024 compensation were fairly close — 1.37% for Grainge and 1.53% for Rapino.  

SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz’s pay-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 1.36% after her compensation ballooned due to stock awards and options related to a new, three-year employment contract. The satellite radio broadcaster has lost subscribers and seen its revenue shrink. But what the company lacks in growth it makes up for in earnings: SiriusXM had adjusted EBITDA of $2.73 billion in 2024 — more than UMG despite having approximately two-thirds of UMG’s revenue.  

Comparing executive compensation to a company’s earnings gets into some technical accounting issues. For starters, EBITDA is not the same as operating income, so comparing companies by different metrics is imperfect. What’s more, the metrics are adjusted to remove one-time items such as impairment charges and restructuring expenses following layoffs. But there are no set rules for how a company must calculate adjusted AOI, adjusted EBITDA, or WMG’s preferred metric, adjusted operating income before interest, depreciation and amortization (OIBDA), because they are not defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  

Whether a CEO’s pay is partially based on adjusted EBITDA, adjusted OIBDA or adjusted AOI, the executives ended up getting paid a comparable percentage of the company’s preferred profitability metric — except for James Dolan, CEO of MSG Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment Co. Dolan’s pay-to-adjusted AOI ratio was 12% — about seven to eight times higher than his peers on Billboard’s list. Sphere Entertainment, which had AOI of just $22.7 million in the company’s transitional six-month period (shortened because it changed its fiscal year to the calendar year), skews the number. The Sphere venue is young and unique, and the company’s compensation committee pays executives with growth, not profit, in mind. Focusing only on the more mature MSG Entertainment, Dolan’s pay-to-AOI ratio was a still-high 4.8%.  

In absolute dollars, though, music executives lagged well behind many Hollywood CEOs. Last year, then-Paramount CEO Bob Bakish grossed $87 million (including a $69 million severance package) while Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters earned $61.9 million and $60.3 million, respectively. David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery’s president and CEO, took home $51.9 million.  

But music CEOs’ pay was still comparable to some of their Hollywood peers. Netflix had EBITDA of $26.3 billion in 2024, giving Sarandos and Peters pay-to-EBITDA ratios of 0.24% and 0.23%, respectively — not much higher than most music CEOs. Warner Bros. Discovery’s Zaslav fared better, though. With adjusted EBITDA of $9 billion, Zaslav’s pay-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 0.58%. 

It makes sense that music CEOs’ pay is comparable. Companies’ compensation committees, which set the terms by which named executive officers are paid, use peer groups to help determine that their executives’ pay is in line with the top management at similar companies. Included in iHeartMedia’s peer group were Warner Music Group, SiriusXM, Live Nation and MSG Entertainment. Warner Music Group’s peer group included Live Nation, Universal Music Group and Spotify. SiriusXM, Spotify, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group were in Live Nation’s peer group.  

Companies end up paying similarly — and handsomely — because compensation committees don’t want to underpay a CEO. As Spotify’s annual report put it, executive compensation must be adequate to “attract, engage, and retain the best executives to work for us.” Effectively, whatever eBay and Electronic Arts — both are in Spotify’s peer group — are paying its executives, Spotify will pay comparably. And what Spotify pays will influence what Warner Music Group pays. And what Warner Music Group pays will influence what Live Nation pays. And so on and so on.