Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z are going head-to-head in a marquee category for the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards. The Netflix special Beyoncé Bowl is competing for outstanding variety special (live) with The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar – which Jay-Z executive produced. Both programs received four nominations.

Beyoncé was also nominated for outstanding directing for a variety special, a nod she shares with Alex Rudzinksi. This brings her career nominations total to 10. Beyoncé, a 35-time Grammy winner, has yet to win an Emmy. Jay has won two Emmys – outstanding variety special live in 2022 as an executive producer of The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and outstanding directing for a variety special the following year for The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna.

This year’s other nominees for outstanding variety special (live) are the 2025 Oscars (ABC) and a pair of specials saluting Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary — SNL50: The Anniversary Special (NBC) and SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (Peacock).

Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar were the top winners at the 2025 Grammys, where Beyoncé finally won album of the year for the first time, and Lamar swept all five awards for which he was nominated, including record and song of the year. Both stars elected not to perform on the Grammys, which was passed over for a nod for outstanding variety special (live).

Severance was this year’s most nominated program with 27 nods, but if you combine Saturday Night Live and the various 50th anniversary salutes to that legendary show, they collectively received even more nods with 31.

Questlove received three nominations for his work on three different programs — outstanding directing for a documentary/nonfiction program for Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music (alongside Oz Rodriguez); outstanding music direction for SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (alongside James Poyser); and outstanding documentary or nonfiction special for Sly Lives! (Aka The Burden of Black Genius). These are Questlove’s first Emmy nods. He has won six Grammys and an Oscar.

Many other top music stars or programs were nominated in various categories.

Selena Gomez is nominated for outstanding comedy series as an executive producer of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. This is her fourth consecutive nomination in that category, which extends her Emmy record as the Latina producer with the most nods. She was passed over this year for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, a category in which she was nominated last year.

Cynthia Erivo, who was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year for her lead performance in Wicked, is nominated for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for Peacock’s Poker Face. This is her second Primetime Emmy nod.

I Am Celine Dion (Prime Video) is among the nominees for exceptional merit. Shawn Mendes: Red Rocks Live in VR is among the nominees for outstanding emerging media.

Julie Andrews received her 12th Primetime Emmy nod, this time for outstanding character voiceover performance for Bridgerton (Netflix). The legendary star landed her first Primetime Emmy nod in 1958 – actress, best single performance – lead or support – for her role in CBS’ broadcast of Cinderella. This is the longest span of nominations in Emmy history.

Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is nominated for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded), where it is competing with five stand-up specials – by Adam Sandler, Ali Wong, Sarah Silverman and Nate Bargatze (all on Netflix) and Bill Burr (on Hulu). Bargatze is hosting this year’s Primetime Emmys.

Conan O’Brien, who hosted the Oscars in January and is set to host the 2026 Oscars, is also nominated for outstanding hosted nonfiction for Conan O’Brien Must Go (HBO Max). His competition includes My Next Guest Needs No Introduction (Netflix), hosted by fellow talk show legend (and former Oscar host) David Letterman.

In the reality competition category, NBC’s The Voice was shut out for the first time since 2011, when it was in its debut season. The nominees are The Traitors (Peacock), which won last year; CBS’s The Amazing Race, which has won 10 times in the category; RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), which has won five times; Top Chef (Bravo), which won in 2010); and CBS’s Survivor, which has yet to win in the category.

The Daily Show, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live! are the three nominees for outstanding talk series. The Daily Show has won it (or a predecessor category) 13 times. This would be the first win for this either of the other shows (though Colbert won twice for his previous series, The Colbert Report.) There are only three slots this year because there were only 13 submissions in the category. That was a bad break for Late Night With Seth Meyers, which was nominated the last three years. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was passed over in the category for the ninth consecutive year. That’s the longest The Tonight Show has ever gone without a nod in this category since the show went on the air in 1954.

Saturday Night Live (NBC) and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO Max) are the two nominees for outstanding scripted variety series. This is a real battle of the heavyweights: SNL won in this category six years in a row, until 2023, when Oliver’s program was moved into this category. His show won the last two years. Last Week Tonight has won nine Emmys in top series categories. SNL has won eight.

Hamish Hamilton has two nominations for outstanding directing for a variety special. He’s nominated for both the Oscars and the Kendrick Lamar half-time show.

Barack Obama is nominated for outstanding narrator for Our Oceans (Netflix). The former president has won twice in that category, for Our Great National Parks (2022) and Working: What We Do All Day (2023). If he wins, he’ll have more Emmys to his name than Grammys (two).

Ken Jennings, host of Jeopardy (ABC), is competing for outstanding game show host with, among others, Colin Jost, host of the new Prime Video spin-off, Pop Culture Jeopardy. The other nominees in the category are Elizabeth Banks (Press Your Luck), Steve Harvey (Celebrity Family Feud) and Jimmy Kimmel (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire).

Two Oscar-winning directors, Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, are among those competing for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series, both for their roles on The Studio (Apple TV+). This is Howard’s first Emmy nomination for acting. He started out as an actor on The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days.

First-round voting runs from Aug. 18-27. The Creative Arts Emmys will be will be presented over two nights, Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live. Highlights from the two ceremonies will air Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8:00 PM PT on FXX.

The Primetime Emmys will be telecast live coast-to-coast on Sunday Sept. 14 from 8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT) on CBS and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Here’s a complete list of all programs that received two or more nominations:

Virtual artist DEATHPIXIE signed with deadmau5‘s label mau5trap. The first release under the deal was a take on deadmau5’s “RAISE YOUR WEAPON,” which came out on Friday (July 11). DEATHPIXIE’s mau5trap debut EP is set to drop on Oct. 31, followed by “immersive live performances,” according to a press release. The release adds that DEATHPIXIE’s music, described as a mix of phonk, trap, techno, bass house and dubstep, is “created by an emerging group of songwriters, producers and animators” and that “there is a human behind every element of” the project.

Brazilian artist Pedro Sampaio signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME). The signing follows a winning streak for Sampaio, whose “Perversa” — a collaboration with J Balvin, also on WME’s roster — continues to gain momentum outside of Brazil. “WME represents artists I deeply admire, with powerful and successful global careers,” Sampaio said in a statement. “I’m very excited to have this team with me at a time when my music is reaching new countries and new cultures. I want to keep taking Brazilian funk further.” Also DJ and producer, Sampaio is set to embark on a summer festival tour in Portugal, with shows in Porto, Madeira Island, Azores, Nisa and the Algarve. – Griselda Flores

Universal Music Greater China signed a global alliance with Mandopop artist David Tao and his company, GREAT Entertainment. Through the deal, UMG Greater China will look to introduce Tao’s music to a global audience. The first release under the agreement is Tao’s eighth studio album, STUPID POP SONGS, his first full-length project in 12 years.

Nashville-based, pop-punk singer-songwriter Taylor Acorn signed with Fearless Records, which released her latest single, “Goodbye, Good Riddance,” on Friday (July 11). She’s set to play When We Were Young and Warped Tour this summer, along with a U.S. headlining tour.

Country artist Trey Pendley, who recently signed a label deal with Leo33, signed with WME for global booking and with Blue Harbor Music for publishing. Pendley is also repped by Make Wake Artists for management, Wiles + Taylor for business management and Ritholz Levy Fields for legal. His most recent release, “Drunk as Any Rich Man,” dropped on June 27.

Ascend Music signed Americana rock duo Marfa, marking the first signing to the new Big Machine Label Group imprint, which was launched in partnership with Ascend4M founder/CEO Joel Klaiman. Marfa, composed of Bryce Menchaca and Kellen Wall, has also released the new track “Little Miss Two Time,” written by Menchaca, Wall and Morgan Nagler. – Jessica Nicholson

DJ duo AD/HD, formed by hit songwriters Ashley Gorley and Jesse Frasure, signed with The Neal Agency for booking. Gorley was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and both writers have earned numerous accolades, including CMA and ACM wins, and songwriter of the year wins at ASCAP and BMI. The Neal Agency’s roster also includes Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman and Anne Wilson. – Jessica Nicholson

Mom+Pop Music signed RYMAN and released his new single, “Green,” on Friday (July 11). Described as having “country/pop/alternative sensibilities,” he’s set to support Ben Kweller as well as Joshua Slone on tour this summer and early fall.

Will Jones signed with WME for booking representation, and with Lady Luck Songs and Blue Harbor Music for publishing and artist development. Jones recently released the new song “Lonesome Dove,” which he wrote with Davis Corley, Lee Starr and Dan Wilson. – Jessica Nicholson

Atlantic Records signed Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Whitney Whitney, whose upcoming EP, 1.1, is set for release on Friday (July 18). She recently released the single “Does the Narcissist Need a Kiss.”

Travis Scott, SZA and Future say a gospel singer’s copyright lawsuit over their 2023 hit “Telekinesis” is fatally flawed because the demo at issue was co-written with Ye, who provided them with the track and green-lit its usage.   

Victory Boyd sued back in January over “Telekinesis”, which was adapted from an unreleased song by Ye (formerly Kanye West) called “Ultrasounds.” Boyd says she wrote the lyrics to “Ultrasounds,” originally titled “Like the Way It Sounds,” and did not authorize her work to be reused by Scott, SZA and Future.

But lawyers for the group of hitmakers say in a Monday (July 14) motion to dismiss the lawsuit that the claims are meritless because they had express permission to use “Ultrasounds” from Ye, who created the demo’s chords, beat and melody.

“To the extent that plaintiffs’ [complaint] survives this motion (which it should not), the facts will demonstrate that defendants’ use, if any, of the LTWIS work was duly authorized by Mr. West, as a joint author of the LTWIS work, having the right and authority to authorize such use,” write Scott, SZA and Future’s attorneys from the firm McPherson LLP.

The defense attorneys say the claims should not even make it to the evidence phase, though, because basic issues with Boyd’s copyright registration make the case invalid.

According to Scott, SZA and Future, Boyd filed a registration with the U.S. Copyright Office in 2023 naming herself as the sole author of “Like the Way It Sounds.” This was false, they say, since Ye created the song’s melody.

Boyd attempted to fix this issue last month by filing another Copyright Office registration for only the song’s lyrics that she authored. But this is invalid, too, say the “Telekinesis” artists’ lawyers, because “as a matter of law, lyrics cannot be copyrighted as a standalone work when created in tandem with, or as part of, an inseparable musical composition.”

“Without a valid registration, plaintiffs cannot initiate or maintain a claim for infringement,” says the motion to dismiss.

Boyd’s attorney, Keith White, tells Billboard on Tuesday (July 15) that the motion is “an attempt to dismiss straight forward copyright and accounting claims as a delay tactic.”

“We will file opposition papers within the next two weeks, and we fully expect Travis Scott’s motion to be summarily denied in short order,” adds White.

Reps for Scott, SZA, Future and Ye did not immediately return requests for comment.

“Telekinesis” spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023, peaking at No. 26.

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.

Adidas Originals unveiled a star-studded, Avengers level lineup of musicians for their latest campaign. Narrated by Nick Fury (aka Samuel L. Jackson), the campaign video features artists such as Missy Elliott, GloRilla, JENNIE and Teezo Touchdown as Three Stripes celebrates the legacy of its iconic sneaker, the Superstar II.

The impressive campaign unfolds in two chapters. First is “Pyramids,” a teaser video that includes Jackson reflecting on the ancient Egyptian pyramids, describing one of the seven wonders of the world as a “big old piles of rock, middle of the desert, they ain’t shiny, they don’t light up, no Wi-Fi, no holograms and not even a food court. But 4,000 years later, people still fly across the world to see them. Why? Because they were made to last.” The video ends with the actor — dressed in the classic Firebird track suit with the signature Adidas three stripes — putting his Superstars up on a table.

Adicolor Classics Firebird Track Jacket

$64 $80 20% off

Buy Now on adidas

---

The quote draws a parallel between the ancient structures and the lasting cultural impact of the Superstar shoe. The second chapter, “Clocks,” unites the list of superstar musicians and athletes as the seven faces from music, basketball and street culture. “When icons wear icons, culture moves,” the German sports brand said in a statement.

“The Superstar has always been more than just a sneaker — it’s a symbol of originality and a spark for cultural change,” said Annie Barrett, vice president of marketing at Adidas Originals. “From street corners to global stages, it’s been worn by those who don’t wait for permission to lead. This campaign isn’t about looking back — it’s about spotlighting a new generation of Originals who are building what’s next, unapologetically.”

At the heart of it all stands the Superstar II, returning in two classic black-and-white colorways alongside the iconic Firebird Tracksuit. The Superstar II has been refined with enhanced padding in the tongue and collar, but keep its timeless appeal that helped defined streetwear in the ’90s. Shop the iconic Adidas Superstar II on the brand’s website for $100.

adidas Superstar II sneakers

$100

Buy Now on adidas

---

adidas Superstar II sneakers

$100

Buy Now on adidas

---

The campaign was directed by photographer and filmmaker Thibaut Grevet. Watch both chapters of the Superstar II campaign below.

Grammy and International Bluegrass Music Awards winners Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes, who have performed together as an acoustic duo for more than a decade, are taking a hiatus from their musical partnership at the end of 2025.

After honoring their touring commitments through the end of the year, Hensley will pivot to focusing on his solo career in 2026, with plans to release new solo music and launch a solo tour in 2026. Ickes will focus on session playing and touring with other artists.

“We are starting to wind down ‘Rob and Trey’ and beginning to wind up ‘Trey Hensley solo,’” Ickes said in a statement. “I’m ready to pull back a little bit in terms of touring, and Trey’s career is really taking off, so we both think it’s time for him to focus on that. I’d like to thank Trey for being such a solid musical/business partner and friend for the past decade. I can’t imagine working with anyone more talented and more fun. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m very excited to see what comes his way with his career — I know it’s going to be incredible!” 

“Rob and I have covered a lot of ground together over 10 years, winning a Grammy Award this year, earning a Grammy nomination for our first duo record, collaborating with so many of our musical heroes and touring all over the United States, Europe and Australia — it’s truly been an amazing ride!” Hensley added. “As I step out of the duo to focus on my solo career, I want to say a big thank you to Rob, who has been a great mentor and friend to me and my family over the years, and although it sounds cliché, this isn’t the end, but a new chapter. I know we will make more music together in the future. This change is simply going to allow me to focus on some other projects that I am excited to share with everyone.”

As a duo, Ickes and Hensley earned a best bluegrass album Grammy nomination for their 2014 debut collaborative project Before The Sun Goes Down. They followed with albums including 2016’s The Country Blues, 2019’s World Full of Blues and 2023’s Living in a Song. Between them, Ickes and Hensley have collaborated with artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Taj Mahal, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Little Feat, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rodney Crowell and Jorma Kaukonen.

Dobro player Ickes previously became a founding member of the band Blue Highway in 1994. He’s won the IBMA’s dobro player of the year honor 15 times, in addition to other IBMA Awards wins. Hensley was named the IBMA’s 2023 guitar player of the year.

Ickes and Hensley have also been part of other IBMA Award-winning projects, including earning the instrumental recorded performance of the year honor for their work as part of Special Consensus on the song “Fireball,” along with Alison Brown.