Los Angeles-based streetwear brand Pleasures has released a new Daft Punk collaborative collection featuring clothing, home goods, gaming equipment and other items sure to make fans drool.

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The collection borrows some of its imagery from the duo’s 2003 film Interstella 5555, their Random Access Memories-era iconography, the video for “Da Funk” (specifically its anthropomorphic dog Charles) and more. The collection features pants, jackets, t-shirts, shorts, hats, bookends, a dartboard, soccer ball, gaming pad and more. See select items from the collection below, and see all the items here.

The collection was debuted at a pair of pop up party’s in Daft Punk’s hometown of Paris and in Los Angeles in June and July before officially going on sale last Wednesday, July 16. While many of the items are already sold out as, as Daft Punk fans have swarmed to them in typically rapid fashion, many remain available.

Founded in 2015, Pleasures is also currently selling collaborative lines with Joy Division and Slipknot.

Daft Punk memorabilia is a phenomenon among fans. When the pair announced their breakup in 2021, the secondary market for merchandise and collector’s items skyrocketed online. In the days after the February 22, 2021 announcement Billboard reported that fans were flocking to stores like eBay and Etsy, where “a sealed two-LP copy of the band’s 2013 album Random Access Memories was up to $355 [48 hours after the news], a limited-edition action-figure set was going for $406 and sellers were asking astronomical prices for rare memorabilia, like a “Get Lucky” condom for $10,000.”

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Jason Landis

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Jason Landis

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Jason Landis

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Daft Punk x Pleasures

Jason Landis

Tom Conrad, Sonos’ interim CEO and president since January, has been officially named to the top job at the speaker company, it was announced Wednesday (July 23).

Conrad took over the CEO role on an interim basis in January from  Patrick Spence, who stepped down after the speaker company struggled with revenue and sales following a fraught redesign of its mobile app. Under Conrad, Sonos has launched software enhancements for the Sonos Ace and Arc Ultra and cleared the pipeline for new products, the company said.

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“Since the beginning of this year, we’ve reestablished clarity, focus, and momentum at Sonos,” said Conrad in a statement. “We’ve dramatically improved our software products and recommitted to delivering the kind of premium experience our customers expect. I’m so excited to move from rebuilding to imagining the next generation of experiences.”

Conrad will remain an independent member of the Sonos board. Board chair Julius Genachowski said Conrad “earned the confidence of our employees, customers, partners and shareholders by restoring urgency” to improving the company’s customer experience.

Updates launched last year to Sonos’ technology frustrated customers who said the app didn’t recognize existing Sonos speakers and made it difficult to link new speakers. The complaints forced the company to lay off staff, lower holiday sales projections and delay product launches, with fixes projected to cost between $20 million and $30 million.

“He has a compelling vision for Sonos’ future, with strong plans to harness technology to benefit our
customers, as AI and other advances reframe the landscape and unlock new opportunities,” Genachowski said.

Conrad, 55, previously served as the chief product officer at Quibi and vp of product at Snap; he was also Pandora’s chief technology officer/executive vp of product for a time, during which he oversaw one of the earliest integrations of Pandora and Sonos. 

Sonos will host an earnings call to discuss its most recent quarterly earnings on Aug. 6.

For all of Ozzy Osbourne‘s accomplishments — helping to invent the heavy metal genre with Black Sabbath, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, landing nine solo albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 — his storied career is also full of arrests, lawsuits, firings and bannings. Some of these are very funny (public urination), some suggest severe alcohol addiction (public drunkenness in Memphis) and some are disturbingly violent (attempting to choke his wife to death). 

Osbourne, who died Tuesday (July 22) at age 76, was infamously debauched and went through several career phases of constant inebriation. Much of this stuff was his own fault, but he also became an unwitting scapegoat for families and lawyers who wrongly blamed his songs for the tragic behaviors of teenagers. Osbourne’s wife and business manager, Sharon Osbourne, was both an indulgent partner in crime for decades and a victim herself when he brutally attacked her for no apparent reason other than that he was out of his mind on alcohol and substances. It’s funny to watch this old clip of Osbourne’s misbehavior, but as he suggested in the video itself, it’s disturbing, too.

“Most of the people that I drank with are dead. And the ones that aren’t, that still continue to drink, are going to be dead soon,” a sober Ozzy once said in an interview. “It’s not a happy ending.”

Below, check out a timeline of the Prince of Darkness’ lifelong career of committing and being accused of things.

Travis Scott is taking a victory lap after the Jackboys 2 album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week.

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Jackboys 2 landed atop the all-genre albums tally (dated July 26), earning 232,000 equivalent album units in the United States in the week ending July 17, according to Luminate. The first Jackboys compilation album debuted atop the Billboard 200 at the top of 2020.

“THIS ONE FOR THE SQUUAAAADDDD. JB2 #1 @cactusjack,” he wrote on Instagram while tagging his label Cactus Jack and Billboard‘s graphics. Scott also took a moment to shout out the album’s executive producer and Cactus Jack co-founder/head of A&R, Bilal “Bizzy” Joseph, who was featured on Billboard‘s 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list. “I let my brother bizzy Take the wheel on this one.”

Jackboys — starring Scott, Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, Chase B and Luxury Tax 50 — featured the Rosalía and Lil Baby-assisted remix of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Highest in the Room” and other assists from Quavo, Offset, Young Thug and Pop Smoke. Nearly six years later, Jackboys 2 — which now includes SoFaygo and Cactus Jack’s newest signee Wallie the Sensei — features more collaborations with Vybz Kartel, Tyla, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, Future and more.

Six songs from Jackboys 2 debuted on the Hot 100 this week: “Kick Out” (No. 50), “Champain & Vacay” with Toliver (No. 53), “Dumbo” (No. 54), “2000 Excursion” with Wes and Toliver (No. 72), “Where Was You” with Carti and Future (No. 74) and “Shyne” with GloRilla (No. 93).

See Scott’s celebratory post here.

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.

Hermes’ Oran sandal is undoubtedly the designer brand’s hottest shoe model out right now.

You’ve seen them on the likes of models, singers, actresses and even royalty, including Meghan Markle, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Katy Perry, Sofia Richie and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo. Now, a dupe is available at Steve Madden, and it’s less than half the price of the beloved designer slides. Hermes’ silhouette can run you $840 depending on the colorway and composition; Steve Madden’s Hadyn sandal costs up to $79.95, once again depending on style and composition.

The Hadyn ranges from size 5 to 12 and comes in five alternative designs and compositions from woven to mesh. There’s even a cow-printed Hadyn. In the classic models made of leather, our favorite colorways include Cognac, a neutral tan, and Black. The textural Mocha suede, a taupe-like hue, is also pretty great too.

How to Buy the Best Hermes Oran Dupe at Steve Madden

Hadyn Sandal in Cognac Leather

Slip-on sandals in a tan colorway.


How to Buy the Best Hermes Oran Dupe at Steve Madden

Hadyn Sandal in Black Leather

A slip-on sandal in a black colorway.


No matter which style or composition you choose, the design is pretty much always the same. You’ve got an H-shaped motif that makes up the straps that transition into open square toes. The silhouette is backless, making it easy to slip on. Block heels standing at 0.75 inches give the wearer an ultra-subtle boost. The soles of every shoe are embossed with Steve Madden’s logo. Even down to the chunky stitching, the Steve Madden Hadyn is pretty much identical to the Hermes model.

Dupes are always tricky to navigate. While the price is attractive and the style might look borderline identical to the original, sometimes the material and quality are sacrificed in the process. Not Steve Madden’s dupe, however. Every style is made of durable, high-quality fabrics, whether it be leather or mesh. The brand’s dupe footwear models are held in high regard for this reason. They offer people looking to save money and want to tap into the designer footwear game without breaking the bank.

How to Buy the Best Hermes Oran Dupe at Steve Madden

Hadyn Sandal in Mocha Suede

Slip-on sandals in a taupe hue with suede uppers.


How to Buy the Best Hermes Oran Dupe at Steve Madden

Rihero Women’s Dressy Flat Sandals Comfortable Slip On Leather Slide Brown Sandals Size 8

$27.99 $33.99 18% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Slip-on brown sandals.


Amazon also carries a similar Hermes style from Rihero. It’s currently on sale for $24.37. This shoe comes in majority leather, along with one woven model and sizing ranges from 5.5 to 11. Like the Hermes and Steve Madden shoes, the price fluctuates for the Amazon sandals based on colorway and composition.

Lifestyle sandals like these are perfect for the summer. Easy to wear and style, we can see these becoming a go-to for the office and beyond. Simply throw them on with slacks and a short-sleeved blouse for those big meetings or dress them down with a breezy maxi dress or denim cut-offs for brunch with the girls. No matter how you choose to style these, one thing is certain. No one will be able to tell the designer from the dupe.

Japanese alternative rock band Kroi dropped a new single called “Method” on July 16. Both songs on the set — the title track being featured as the opening theme song for the anime series SAKAMOTO DAYS, and “Clay” — are powerful numbers showcasing the five-man band’s essence and future direction.

The members sat down with Billboard Japan to open up about the genre-bending band’s current mode as it continually evolves.

Kroi has been actively performing outside of Japan in recent years. Most recently, you performed at The Great Escape in Brighton, England in May, and during your Unspoil tour last year, you did a show in Taipei. Were there any takeaways from your experiences overseas?

Masanori Seki (Ba.): We want to be seen by all kinds of audiences in all kinds of places. Outside of Japan, we’ve had opportunities to perform in Taiwan, South Korea, the U.S. and the U.K. so far, and personally, the audience in South Korea left the biggest impression. The culture of concert-viewing over there is totally different from Japan. Some people had made banners and waved them during the show, and there were circle pits during our songs, which would be unthinkable back home. People were enjoying themselves like they considered concerts as places to party. That was a culture shock for me.

Yuki Hasebe (Gt.): This isn’t limited to live shows, but when I go abroad and speak with the people over there, there are many moments when they judge something by whether it’s “good or bad” and not “skilled or inept.” Like, “Well, they it messed up but it has a great vibe, so we’ll use it.” I find that way of thinking exciting and it’s interesting to me.

Daiki Chiba (Key.): I imagine there are differences between countries in the recording process as well. The music probably reflects the differences in the way people live and the basic lifestyles of each place. And how something fits depends on the person. The studio we used in the U.K. was the same one used by (Japanese guitarist) Tomoyasu Hotei. Apparently he records a lot over there, and I think that’s partly because the sound is good, and partly because he’s comfortable with the way things are done.

Hidetomo Masuda (Dr.): We did some recording in the U.K. with a producer present. In Japan, recording is like “making a fair copy,” but in the U.K., it was like we were writing the song together while recording. That was a new experience. It was more proactive and fun than how it’s done in Japan, and I wanted to apply it back home.

Uchida-san, do you have any thoughts on singing in places where the language is different?

Leo Uchida (Vo.): It feels like I’m getting closer to the style I’m aiming for. Of course when I write lyrics, I focus on the strength of the words, but there’s a part of me that wants to achieve something like the jolt I got out of the Western music I heard back in junior high. Even if there’s a language barrier, I want to communicate with people who don’t understand the words through sound, vibes, and groove. When we perform live in a country where we don’t speak the local language, it gets close to that feeling. It’s very fundamental. It feels more like we’re “doing music.” When I sing with an emphasis on the lyrics, I become more conscious of the message of the work, but when we perform live in a place where there’s a language barrier, it becomes this act of self-introduction through sound, like, “This is what our band is like.” That’s fun to do.

It’s a more fundamental way of communication.

Uchida: I feel the strength of music directly. That feeling of being able to connect with each other through sound. When I get a strong reaction from the audience, I feel that they probably understand us. I’m blown away each time because we’re communicating through music even though we don’t understand each other’s languages.

The band released its latest single “Method” on July 16. Both the title track and the accompanying song, “Clay,” feel important in that they represent new aspects of the band’s creativity. I’d like to ask you about “Method,” the opener for the anime series SAKAMOTO DAYS. Mr. Uchida, you once said that when writing songs that will accompany other works, you try to find overlapping aspects between that work and Kroi’s expressions. What was the overlap between SAKAMOTO DAYS and the band?

Uchida: The song is for SAKAMOTO DAYS’ second season, the “Death Row Arc” where the battles intensify and the contrast between the daily scenes and battle scenes becomes more pronounced. There’s this character named Shin Asakura, and a scene where he develops a new level of power. This was during battle, and when I saw that, I thought there are times we also feel something like that and get in the zone when we’re doing something, like during a live performance or while writing a song. For example, if I haven’t written songs for a while, I forget how to write them, and can’t get into that zone right away. Then when I go, “I’ll just keep moving my hands for now,” there are times when that level of concentration suddenly kicks in and it feels like I can keep writing forever. When performing live, no matter how well I warm up my throat, it feels like my awareness is above my head in the beginning, you know what I mean? Like I’m pulling back a bit.

You’re still calm and objective.

Uchida: But my awareness suddenly returns before I know it, and there are times when it feels like I’m blending into what’s happening onstage. That feeling I have and Shin leveling up in the midst of battle felt similar.

I see. So that line that goes, “Kimi no me, Sorasanaikara zutto” (“I won’t ever let you look away”), that’s also happening during that next level of awareness you’re talking about.

Uchida: Right. That “you” can be anyone or anything. In SAKAMOTO DAYS, it could be the protagonist Sakamoto’s family he’s trying to protect, or for me, the lyrics could overlap with my yearning to get into the zone again and performing each time thinking, “I hope I can feel like that again today.” I’ve written it so that there can be multiple meanings, not just double. So when I listen to this song years from now, I think the meaning of “you” will have changed. I write songs so that I can see new faces in them when time passes, so that they can grow like living things.

Have you all experienced this feeling of heightened awareness during recording or performing, too?

Hasebe: I have. The vibe of the audience differs from place to place, even within Japan, and when the energy of the crowd matches our wavelength, it makes me wish the show would never end.

The melody and sound of “Method” also serve to evoke that feeling of heightened awareness, of “getting into a zone” that you’ve been talking about. 

Uchida: A major thing this time was, we didn’t add too many sounds besides the ones played by the band. Usually, we’d have arrangements on our recordings that we wouldn’t actually be able to reproduce onstage with just the five of us, like synths layered on top of Chiba’s two-handed electric piano playing, or percussion and horns on top of my guitar track. But this time, it’s very physical and we focused on a sound that we all make together. There weren’t too many tracks, were there?

Chiba: Yeah, not much compared to our usual music. When we were recording, we tried not to do anything unnecessary since it’s a tight song with relatively few notes.

Uchida: So this time, it was really like, “Let’s record Kroi close to its real live condition.” We’ve gotten more used to anime tie-ins, so the challenge was, “How do we write an anime opener, a composition that must leave an impression on the viewer, through just the lyrics, composition, and arrangement without bolstering it with (excessive) sound?” I think the sound captures Kroi’s fundamental ability to express itself and also that sense of getting into the zone on your own.

This might be a part that’s not included in the anime opener version, but the interlude where the organ and handclaps intermingle is really cool.

Chiba: That part isn’t included in the anime version, but the organ is something that can’t be omitted when discussing soul and funk, you know? I personally think it’s stylish to feature that now, in 2025, and in a J-pop anime number at that.

The other song on the single, “Clay,” also feels like it’s an important number for the band, lyrics included.

Uchida: I think “Clay” turned out to be a meaningful song for the band. There were moments when I could catch a glimpse of what everyone likes while writing it, and it’s a song like a palette. You know how a great painter’s palette can be a work of art in itself? It’s like that. Kroi squeezed out all the colors for making a song on a palette and released it in that state. [Laughs] That’s why I think this song will lead to the next one. It’s not so much about the musicality of this number, but rather the many things that Kroi will pick out in the future from the song that’s a jumble of various elements of the band. It’s a song that holds a lot of promise. 

So “Clay” encompasses the future of Kroi.

Uchida: Yes. It’s great that we were able to put out such a song.

—This interview by Fumiaki Amano first appeared on Billboard Japan

This summer, one of the most powerful soundtracks emerged not from a chart-topping idol group, but from a K-pop-inspired animated feature. KPop Demon Hunters, produced by Sony Pictures with major contributions from star producers at THEBLACKLABEL, quickly captured global attention after its June 20 premiere on Netflix, debuting at No. 1 on the platform’s Global Film chart.

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Centered around HUNTR/X, a fictional girl group battling evil spirits, and their rival boy band called Saja Boys, the film playfully blends the worlds of K-pop, animation and superhero action. Unlike traditional K-pop content built around real-life stars and fandoms, KPop Demon Hunters constructs a wholly original universe where music and narrative are developed hand-in-hand from the ground up.

The film’s lead track, “Golden” by HUNTR/X, made history by peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 1 on the Global 200 — a largely unprecedented feat for a fictional act. Other tracks from the soundtrack, including “Your Idol,” “How It’s Done” and “Soda Pop,” quickly dominated streaming platforms worldwide. According to Billboard, Netflix plans to submit “Golden” for best original song at the upcoming Academy Awards, positioning the film for a dual run at both the Billboard charts and the Oscars.

But the success of KPop Demon Hunters goes beyond cutting-edge animation. The music itself is the heartbeat of the story, infusing every scene with emotion and narrative weight. These aren’t just songs; they’re weapons in a world where idols literally fight demons through performance.

At the heart of this musical vision are THEBLACKLABEL’s powerhouse producers: IDO (YUHAN, ZHUN and NHD), Vince and Dominsuk. Known for crafting hits like BLACKPINK’s “Pink Venom,” BIGBANG’s “Still Life,” TAEYANG’s “VIBE,” SOMI’s “Fast Forward,” ALLDAY Project’s “FAMOUS” and MEOVV’s “MEOW” and “DROP TOP,” these producers took on an entirely new challenge: creating music not for real artists, but for animated characters with their own story arcs and emotional depth.

What began as an experiment in fictional world-building turned into a cultural phenomenon, sparking global chart success, viral challenges and even Oscar buzz. We sat down with IDO, Vince and Dominsuk to hear how they brought this ambitious project to life — translating visuals into sound, weaving narrative through rhythm, and proving just how far K-pop can stretch when imagination leads the way.

KPop Demon Hunters is quite a departure from the usual projects we see from THEBLACKLABEL. What inspired you to take on the challenge of creating music for fictional characters instead of real-life K-pop idols?

Vince: I was intrigued the moment I heard it was a Sony Pictures project. They’re the same studio behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which I absolutely loved, so I’ve always had a strong affinity for their work. What really stood out was the way they blended a classic superhero narrative with K-pop storytelling — it was so fresh. I also found the visual elements really compelling — like the characters wearing traditional Korean traditional hats [gat], hanbok-inspired outfits, and the overall Korean-inspired aesthetic.

Which tracks and parts did each of you work on? And were there any moments during the process that particularly stood out?

IDO (ZHUN): I produced “Golden,” “How It’s Done” and “Your Idol.” I also worked on the track used during HUNTR/X’s intro scene at the start of the film. One moment that really sticks with me is from the storyboard for “How It’s Done.” There’s this intense action sequence, and suddenly it cuts to a character eating ramen — it was so random and hilarious. That lighthearted energy ended up bleeding into the music naturally.

Vince: I produced “Soda Pop” and also worked on “Your Idol.”

Dominsuk: I produced “Soda Pop.”

Did you have any idea this music would grow beyond just an animated soundtrack? All the tracks charted on Billboard, and “Golden” is even being discussed as a strong Oscar contender for best original song.

IDO (YUHAN): Honestly, I never imagined we’d be talking about the Oscars while working on K-pop. It’s opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for us, and it’s been a deeply meaningful experience.

Vince: To be honest, not at all. I was just focused on crafting music that would match the visuals. Of course, we poured our hearts into it — as if we were producing tracks for a real K-pop group — but I didn’t expect it to resonate this strongly. In the end, I think it’s the synergy between the music and visuals that struck a chord with people.

IDO (ZHUN): Now that we’re here, I’m daring to dream of topping the Billboard Hot 100 — or even winning a Grammy. Dreams are free, right? I just hope this leads to even more great outcomes in the future.

Many fans have described the soundtrack as quintessentially “K-pop.” Did you deliberately aim for that, or were there conscious efforts to differentiate it from traditional K-pop? How did you incorporate THEBLACKLABEL’s signature sound?

Vince: We didn’t set out to make it sound “K-pop.” Our only goal was to make good music that fit great visuals. I think what people call “K-pop” today goes beyond just genre — it’s a blend of visuals, performance, storytelling and music. We simply aimed to create catchy pop tracks that people would enjoy. Since the music was made by Korean creators, it naturally ended up being labeled as K-pop — but that label was never the starting point.

IDO (ZHUN): Same here. Rather than trying to make it sound like K-pop, we focused on how to bring emotional depth to the characters and their narrative. We wove in THEBLACKLABEL’s signature elements — like catchy drops and unique grooves — very organically. We also mixed Korean and English lyrics to give it a more global feel. I think all of that came together pretty naturally in the final tracks.

The tempo and structure of “Soda Pop,” performed by the fictional boy band Saja Boys, seems perfectly tailored for a viral dance challenge. Was that intentional?

Dominsuk: We didn’t set out to create a challenge track. But while making it, the idea that “this could be fun as a challenge” did cross my mind. I just didn’t expect the reaction to blow up the way it did. Music has a way of taking on a life of its own — often in ways even the creators didn’t anticipate.

The casting of vocalists with strong synergy to each character was also a hot topic. How were the vocalists selected, and what influenced those choices?

Vince: The final vocalist decisions were made by the production team, but we were involved early on, especially in discussing what kind of tone would best suit each character and scene. It’s not just about the vocal style fitting the music; it also has to match the voice acting and emotional rhythm of the animation. We went through a few different vocalists before landing on the perfect fits, and I think the end result was really well balanced.

If you had to compare the soundtrack’s sound to a real-life K-pop group, who would it be?

Vince: We didn’t model the songs after any particular artist — we just immersed ourselves in the characters and their emotions. But if I had to name a few, BLACKPINK or BTS come to mind. They both have strong global branding and powerful music and performances.

Vince, you’re not only a producer but also an artist yourself, with a new single dropping in August. From your perspective at the frontlines of K-pop, how do you think KPop Demon Hunters has influenced the current K-pop landscape?

Vince: I think the biggest achievement is that it introduces K-pop to a wider range of audiences — especially younger generations — in a really natural way. Globally, I hope it helps shape a more positive and expansive perception of what K-pop can be.

There’s already buzz about a sequel. If you were to return for a second film, what kind of music would you want to create?

IDO (YUHAN): If HUNTR/X gets a new rival group [in a sequel], I’d love to produce for them. I’d want to explore a darker, more electronic sound than we used this time.

Working outside your usual environment can often be the biggest creative trigger. Was this project that kind of moment for you? And if so, are there any global artists you dream of collaborating with in the future? It’s a Billboard interview, after all — so maybe it could happen!

IDO (ZHUN): I’ve always loved electronic music — Skrillex was a big influence growing up — and lately I’ve been really into Fred again.. He’s definitely on my collaboration wish list.

IDO (YUHAN): I’m also a fan of electronic music like ZHUN, but the first artist that comes to mind for a dream collab is The Weeknd.

IDO (NHD): I’d love to work with 2hollis. His bass-heavy, hyperpop-inspired sound is so fresh — it’d be an exciting creative challenge.

Dominsuk: I’ve been listening to a lot of Fred again.. lately. I’d also love to collaborate with Justin Bieber someday — it’s been one of my biggest goals as a producer.

Vince: I’m lucky enough to be collaborating with one of my dream artists right now. I can’t reveal who just yet, but we’ve got a single coming out in August. It’s a summer-ready track that I think a lot of people will enjoy, so stay tuned.

Legendary band Los Bukis was honored with its very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday (July 23). Helmed by Marco Antonio Solís, the Mexican romantic grupero act received the 2,817th star now located on Hollywood Boulevard, immortalizing its contributions to Latin music over the past five decades.

The ceremony kicked off around 2 p.m. local time with heartfelt speeches by actor and comedian Gabriel “Iglesias” Fluffy and Oscar-nominated actor Demián Bichir, who said Los Bukis have become “the soundtrack of our lives.”

With fans chanting “Los Bukis” in unison, the iconic band took the stage with Solís, sharing some words with those present. “After so much English, I am going to speak in Spanish,” he said to the roaring crowd. “It is a special, wonderful day, an unimaginable blessing from God, but look, thanks to our reunion, we can be here celebrating this blessing that God has given us. How many of us came here to gaze at the stars here, and now we have one.”

While his speech was brief, it was impactful and timely, thanking the immigrants that live in the United States for their support throughout the years. “We dedicate this star to all immigrants gathered here in this beautiful country, to all workers who strive every day, the silent force of service in this country, silent but making a lot of noise and doing a lot for this country,” Solís said. “In these times of adversity, we are with you. Our hearts go out to all those who are suffering from the hardships we are going through. We fully trust that this will have a solution.”

Last year, Los Bukis made history as the first-ever full Spanish-language residency on the Las Vegas Strip. It was preceded by a momentous Los Bukis stadium tour, which kicked off in 2021, reuniting the band after a 25-year hiatus. According to Billboard‘s 2021 year-end Boxscore charts, Los Bukis’ Una Historia Cantada Tour landed a No. 6 spot on Billboard‘s 40 top tours of 2021 with a total gross of $49,667,153. The reunion trek also won Top Latin Tour at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.

Overall, Los Bukis has 32 entries onto Hot Latin Songs (which began in October 1986), scoring five No. 1 hits, including “Cómo Fui A Enamorarme De Ti,” “Y Ahora Te Vas” and “Mi Mayor Necesidad.”

Watch the ceremony below:

Taylor Swift is entering her wax figure era. As unveiled Wednesday (July 23), Madame Tussauds is welcoming 13 new statues of the pop star to different locations across the world — meaning Swifties who have never met her can finally pose with their idol, even if it’s just in their waxiest dreams.

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Described as the “most ambitious project in Madame Tussauds’ 250-year history,” the new wax figures will pop up in the museum’s branches in Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Hollywood, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Sydney and Blackpool, England. Each one will sport a replica of a different look worn by Swift on her global Eras Tour throughout 2023 and 2024, from her iconic glitzy Lover-era leotard to her white Tortured Poets Department gown.

The 13th Swift figure will start out in Madame Tussauds’ location in Shanghai, but — much like its real-life inspiration did on her Eras trek — will travel around to different spots.

In a statement, Danielle Cullen, Madame Tussauds’ senior figure stylist Danielle Cullen said, “We’re honored to have worked closely with fashion houses like Roberto Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Christian Louboutin, Alberta Ferretti and Etro to recreate some of [Swift’s] most iconic looks — many of which will have special significance to the cities the 13 new figures will call home.”

“It feels a fitting celebration to give Swifties the chance to commemorate moments from this once-in-a-generation tour in a way that only Madame Tussauds can,” continued Cullen, adding that the grand scale of the undertaking “only feels right to reflect the stratospheric status of Taylor Swift.”

The unveiling comes about seven months after Swift’s Eras Tour wrapped after nearly two years on the road. During the run, the 14-time Grammy winner traveled to five different continents and raked in upwards of $2 billion with more than 10 million tickets sold, according to Billboard Boxscore. It is, to date, the highest grossing trek of all time.

Madame Tussauds’ new collection honoring the tour follows several other Taylor Swift wax installments over the years. She first received a figure in 2010 at the Nashville location, and has since been replicated in branches across Washington, D.C.; Hollywood; Dubai; and Hamburg, Germany.

See the new Taylor Swift wax figures by Madame Tussauds below.

A collage of all 13 Madame Tussauds wax figures of Taylor Swift

A collage of all 13 Madame Tussauds wax figures of Taylor Swift

Courtesy Madame Tussauds

The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard 200 dated August 2, we look at the latest from Tyler, The Creator, which looks to headed for a huge debut despite using barely more than half the available tracking week. 

Tyler, The Creator, Don’t Tap the Glass (Columbia): In his 15-plus year career to this point, hip-hop star Tyler, The Creator had never released official albums in back-to-back years , generally operating at an every-other-year pace and actually taking three years in between 2021’s Call Me If You Get Lost and 2024’s Chromakopia. But just nine months after the latter album debuted to the best first-week numbers of his career, Tyler is already back with its follow-up: Don’t Tap the Glass, the up-tempo release he describes as being made for “Dancing. Driving. Running. Any type of movement… Only at full volume.” 

The 10-track, 28-minute release dropped this Monday morning (July 20), after having been announced just a few days before. Unsurprisingly for an artist of Tyler’s stature, the set instantly swarmed the top of DSP daily charts, occupying 10 of the top 11 spots on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA listing and currently claiming six of the top seven spots on Apple Music’s real-time chart — with the set’s opening track, the Pharrell-assisted “Big Poe,” leading on both. Even in less than four full days of tracking, the set should bow to blockbuster streaming numbers. 

It should sell in large numbers as well. Despite the semi-surprise drop — which often means that artists don’t have a physical released prepared in time to go out with it, as was the case two Fridays ago (July 11) with Justin Bieber’s Swag — Don’t Tap the Glass is available for purchase in a variety of physical formats. Tyler is selling Glass on both CD and vinyl through his website, with one exclusive additional track to go with the 10-track version available for streaming and digital download. It’s also out in three different boxed sets, each with a piece of branded clothing and a CD copy contained in a branded box.  

Will it all be enough for the album to bow at No. 1, even without the first three-plus days of available tracking? It seems likely — Chromakopia already set the precedent last November, debuting at the same time of the week and still racking up a career-best 299,000 units, according to Luminate. Glass will likely come in under that number, due largely to its shorter 10-song tracklist and less-pre-hyped release, but anything within range of it will probably be able to cruise to the top spot — with no other new releases on its level this week, Swag likely to recede somewhat in its second frame, and Morgan Wallen’s long-reigning I’m the Problem slipping to weekly numbers under half of that Chromakopia tally.  

BTS, Permission to Dance on Stage – Live (BIGHIT): As the world waits for BTS’ official return, with all seven members now returned from compulsory military service, fans have a release to tide them over in the Permission to Dance on Stage – Live set. The album captures the K-pop superstars’ 2021-22 mini-tour — which brought them to three venues for four shows each, and was previously featured in the Permission to Dance on Stage – LA concert film, shot over the tour’s four stops at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium in late 2021.  

The 22-track set should stream respectably — though obviously not as well as a brand-new BTS album would — and should sell in big numbers, thanks to five CD variants available for purchase, all containing branded bonus collectibles, some of which are randomized. It might not be enough to get the set past Tyler’s latest, but it should help secure the group its eighth top 10 album on the Billboard 200.  

Alex Warren, You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Atlantic): What about the guy who’s had the No. 1 song in the country for seven of the past eight weeks? Alex Warren is perhaps the year’s biggest breakout artist thanks to his Billboard Hot 100-dominating “Ordinary,” and on Friday he released his official debut album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid — a 21-track expansion of his previously released You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1), which he officially classified as an EP despite it containing 11 tracks (including “Ordinary”).  

Sales of the 21-track new version should be boosted by its availability in five vinyl variants (including one signed), as well as a standard and signed CD. And the set should certainly stream very well, propelled not only by the massive numbers of “Ordinary” — still in the top five on Streaming Songs after 20 weeks on the chart — but the strong debut of new song “Eternity,” which debuted at No. 3 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA for its Friday release, though it has since of course gotten buried under Tyler’s Glass.  

IN THE MIX 

Jessie Murph, Sex Hysteria (Columbia): Genre-blurring singer-songwriter Jessie Murph’s new album arrives after she scored her first unaccompanied Hot 100 smash this spring with the No. 15-peaking (so far) “Blue Strips.” The 15-track streaming set should perform well, and could also rack up some solid sales numbers thanks to two CD and vinyl variants for sale, each of which includes two exclusive tracks not available on the streaming version.