Keke Palmer, the quintessential millennial multihyphenate, has played nearly every role the mind can generate. A box office queen who can lead films alongside Oscar winners (2022’s Nope with Daniel Kaluuya) and pop stars (2025’s One of Them Days with SZA), an iconic child star with her own talk show, an Emmy-winning game show host, a Billboard charting singer-songwriter, founder of her own online entertainment content platform (KeyTV), and even a Broadway diva.  

For two decades, Palmer didn’t just entertain the masses; she provided a sterling example for adolescent Black audiences in an era in which there were few. Her starring turn in Akeelah and the Bee (in which she plays a young girl competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee), for example, remains her most beloved and notable role in Black households for 19 years and counting. 

“I have done so much work to make sure that I’m giving my audience my very best, and I’ve also had a hard time being a performer at such a young age and protecting myself through performance,” she tells Billboard of her history in the spotlight, while she’s in the middle of a glam session. She’s nearing the end of a weeklong New York promotional run supporting her new Just Keke visual album, and on Juneteenth 2025 (June 19), she’s doing everything but resting. “It’s been so hard to manage being a person and being a product.”

But one unexpectedly controversial dance pushed her into a role she rarely assumed in the public eye: herself. In July 2023, Palmer made national headlines when she attended Usher’s My Way Las Vegas residency, where the Grammy-winning R&B legend serenaded her with “There Goes My Baby” and a cheeky-yet-respectful dance. When footage hit social media, Darius Jackson — Palmer’s ex-boyfriend and the father of their son Leodis — publicly lambasted her choice of dress (a sheer number with a bodysuit underneath), writing on X: “It’s the outfit tho… you a mom.” 

What unraveled next was a public exposé of alleged domestic violence incidents that culminated in a November 2023 hearing, in which a judge granted Palmer’s requests for a temporary restraining order against Jackson, as well as temporary sole custody of their son. By May 2024, Palmer dropped the requests, and the domestic violence restraining order hearing was canceled; she and Jackson have since reached a place where they can co-parent their son together. 

While her Nickelodeon and Disney peers have seemingly all had at least one major scandal to their names (ranging from incessant twerking and licking unpurchased donuts to near-fatal overdoses), Palmer’s celebrity was, in part, defined by her lack of verifiable scandals. In fact, on social media, her nickname was – and continues to be – Keke “Keep a Job/Bag” Palmer, a tribute to her enviable work ethic and seemingly endless arsenal of talents. From the film roles she chose to her generally affable demeanor, Palmer played the historically difficult role of Black child star-turned-adult entertainer almost perfectly. Until one fateful night (where she wasn’t even acting out of character in the slightest) blew it all up — and social media inundated her with myopic takes on her personal life that ranged from violently misogynistic to harmful respectability politics. 

“For someone to weaponize your audience against you, it was very heartbreaking,” she reflects, betraying her hairstylist to look me in the eye. “My life isn’t a joke. There’s a lot of s–t I joke about, but I don’t joke about my life. I don’t want to confuse [people and have them] think that this is what we do over here. Let’s not joke about families falling apart. That’s not funny to me.” 

While other entertainers may have taken some time out of the public eye, Palmer continued with her fifty ‘leven commitments. But in between filming Boots Riley’s upcoming I Love Boosters film, forming her DivaGurl girl group (with Sadé and LaShay), and raising her new baby boy, Palmer somehow found the time to link with Grammy-nominated, Hot 100-topping singer-songwriter Tayla Parx and funnel her whirlwind of emotions into her third studio album. When the two former True Jackson VP co-stars linked in Atlanta at the top of the year to begin the songwriting process, they left “Keke” and “Tayla” at the door, in favor of Lauren and Taylor (their birth names), respectively.  

“Honestly, [sessions] looked like hanging out and talking with your best friend [who] also happens to be an extraordinarily talented and skilled songwriter,” Palmer explains as a smile creeps across her face. “I’m doing what’s normal to me, but she’s doing what nobody I’ve ever worked with has done, which is be able to create the stage for me to say things that I didn’t even know I could say and help align it with the energy the record needs.” 

As the pen behind era-defining smashes like fellow Nickelodeon alum Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings,” Parx knows how to craft a song that will conquer the charts and/or awards season. But that wasn’t the goal for the Just Keke sessions. Parx’s ability to tease out Palmer’s most closely guarded truths gave way to the most confessional music of the Emmy-winner’s career. Album opener “Off Script” addresses her life veering away from the blueprint she chose for herself as self-described “Type A” person (“Even when I let you get me pregnant/ Oh shit, how else can I prove it?”); “My Confession” flips Usher’s “Confessions, Pt. II” into a play-by-play of her relationship’s demise, and “Ripples” displays her family’s collective growth in the face of emotional turmoil. When she sings, “Got me on some viral shit, scandalous/ Call the lawyers, handle it/ The money’s the last thing we was worried ’bout/ The truth is we both was fighting for our child,” her tone is equal parts desperate and resentful, a testament to the intricacy of her vocal performance throughout the album.

There are also the standout cuts: “I Wanna Know,” a Brandy-esque track that explores voyeurism and betrayal (complete with meticulously placed ad-libs), and “Tea, Boo,” a campy, Slick Rick-meets-RuPaul track that finds Palmer giving her best Lady Whistledown impression. She says the latter is Baby Leo’s favorite song on the album. 

Building on the smooth R&B of her 2016 fan-favorite Lauren EP, Just Keke finds its narrative anchor in spoken word interludes that emphasize the album’s overarching variety show concept. Her most vocally impressive — she’s always been an adept singer, but here she gets closer than ever to finding her most flattering sonic and melodic pockets — and aesthetically ambitious musical offering yet, Just Keke is an unmistakable turning point in Palmer’s recording career, one part of her portfolio that has notably lagged behind the others. 

“I think what is comparable [about Just Keke] is the truth that we hear when we think of artists like Brandy and Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston. I was tapped into life experiences that bring you to a deeper truth; it’s a lot of me growing up,” she says. “Because the lyrics are so true to me, I was able to sing them like I would [speak] them. That’s why I think [this album] has my best vocal performances. There’s now a different level of depth that I’m carrying after I evolved as a person.” 

Named after her 2014 talk show (which made her the youngest talk show host in TV history at just 20), Just Keke arrived on June 20 via Palmer’s own Big Bosses Entertainment label, alongside a 30-minute, self-funded short film. A visual album in the vein of Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Black Is King, the short film brings the album’s variety show concept to life, featuring cameos from Issa Rae and nods to classic women’s television shows, including Insecure, Lizzie McGuire, Moesha, and Sex and the City. Not only does Palmer incorporate her hosting, singing and acting prowess, she also flaunts her dance skills, tackling everything from breakdancing to praise dancing. Her mother, Sharon Palmer, also serves as an executive producer on the film, underscoring how the Just Keke project has helped strengthen and deepen her family’s connection. By playing host, lead actress and spectator in her own semi-autobiographical visual album, Palmer finally lays bare her story on her own terms — and she unlocked new levels of her artistry in the process. 

“[The film] is about the boundaries that I’m setting and the reclamation of my narrative and my parasocial relationship with my audience,” Palmer says. “Loving deeply is important, but loving that deep with boundaries is even more important. I needed to learn that in life, not even just on a romantic level.” 

On this uncharacteristically rainy Juneteenth Thursday, the theme of reclamation feels particularly apt. Throughout the 36 hours or so that I’ve spent with Palmer, she’s aware of every last detail around her, but there’s an unmistakable ease to her energy that wasn’t always there from afar. She feels free, and that freedom oozes out of every note she sings and every kiss she blows. 

“I feel so free to be living in my truth and to be able to speak on my story without concern,” she gushes. “That’s the thing about Akeelah and the Bee on a deeper level. I think we all loved that movie – and my mom wanted me to do it – because we loved seeing a little girl be able to articulate herself and express how she feels about the world and the people in her life and community. That’s something that’s been very much kept from our community. So for me to be able to express the nuances of anger, grief and sorrow — but also share my love and joy — it feels very freeing.” 

The upcoming CBS music competition The Road will premiere this fall, following a dozen rising country artists as they traverse the challenges and triumphs of life as a touring artist. The Road will air on CBS Sunday evenings, and will stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.

The series will also give viewers a look at the inner workings of being on the road as a country artist, as the rising musicians pile into a tour bus and learn about what it takes to chase their touring ambitions.

The show will follow those artists as they open shows for four-time Grammy winner Keith Urban at various music venues across the U.S., as country artists including “Redneck Woman” hitmaker and Grammy winner Gretchen Wilson (as well as members of the live audience at each show) decide which artists will advance to the next city on the tour.

The competing artists are Adam Sanders from Lake City, Florida; Billie Jo Jones from Emory, Texas; Blaine Bailey from Tahlequah, Oklahoma; Briana Adams from Winchester, Texas; Britnee Kellogg from Anthem, Arizona; Cassidy Daniels from Marion, North Carolina; Channing Wilson from Lafayette, Georgia; Cody Hibbard from Adair, Oklahoma; Forrest McCurrin from Jefferson City, Missouri; Jenny Tolman from Nashville, Tennessee; Jon Wood Wake Forrest, North Carolina; and Olivia Harms from Canby, Oregon.

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In an Instagram video, co-executive producer and country star Blake Shelton said, “Touring’s hard to get right, but when you do, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.” Urban added in the video, “This show is all about being on the road. I don’t think it’s a job, I think it’s a calling.”

In a previous statement, fellow executive producer Taylor Sheridan said that “there is a revolution taking place in country music,” and that getting to work with Shelton and Urban on “building a platform … for the next leaders of that revolution is an incredibly exciting venture.”

See a trailer for The Road below:

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It’s a Beatles celebration! In honor of Global Beatles Day (June 25), we’ve rounded up a collection of some of the coolest Beatles merchandise that you can find at Amazon and other retailers.

If you’re unsure of what to get The Beatles fan in your life, we’re here to help. Celebrate John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with our list of gift ideas that are perfect.

Keep reading for the best Beatles-inspired gear, including books, merch, apparel and other fun collectibles, and awesome gift ideas for dedicated fans of all ages.

A fun way to hear The Beatles music, lullaby-style. This luminescent music box plays the band’s 1970 classic, “Let It Be,” plus it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (it measures 3.3 x 3.3. inches).

Paul McCartney released 1964: Eyes of the Storm. The book is comprised of 275 rare photos of The Beatles which McCartney snapped on a 35mm camera early in the band’s career.

The Beatles Sgt. Pepper Drum Advent Calendar features 24-days of gifts such as a keyring, metal bookmark, dish towel, cookie cutters, socks, limited-edition pin badges and a replica of the Beatles’ Christmas card to fans.  

Create a cool art piece with LEGO Art The Beatles Set. This 2,933-piece set for adults measures over 15.5-inches and features four build options, nine canvas wall decor plates, The Beatles’ signature tile, a brick-built LEGO frame, unique new hanging element and piece separator.

Incorporate the Beatles aesthetic into your next card game. These premium playing cards are available in four different color editions dressed in the style of the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Lennon’s legendary style gets immortalized in the form of a Funko Pop! The figure is part of the Funko Pop! Rocks collection and stands almost 4 inches tall.

All aboard! The Eurostar Beatles Submarine Train Set is perfect for collectors. The train set is a mini-recreation of the Eurostar 737 train wrapped in Beatles scenes from the 1968 musical-comedy, Yellow Submarine.

Casley’s limited-edition Yellow Submarine Tin Box includes a Yellow Submarine | Beatles Case (Bold + MagSafe), and a Yellow Submarine | Beatles Power Pod all packed in a collectible tin.

This collectible tin set holds 15 medium gauge guitar picks, each of which celebrates some of the legendary Beatles  images including Abbey Road, Sgt. Peppers and Revolver. Find additional Beatles-inspired guitar picks here.

We couldn’t make the list without a Beatles T-shirt! This British flag Beatles logo tee is available in black, gray and navy blue in sizes S-5X.

Also in the fashion department: a Beatles varsity jacket. This particular jacket is inspired by the band’s 1964 tour. You can also fid Beatles varsity jackets at Walmart, and Rockabilia.

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 July 5, we look at the new albums by Benson Boone and Karol G, two of the likeliest contenders to crash the chart’s top five. 

Benson Boone, American Heart (Night Street/Warner): In the past year and a half, Benson Boone has become one of the biggest new names in pop music, as the singer-songwriter has backflipped his way to stardom thanks to an energetic and physically stunning live show and a string of hit singles — starting with early 2024’s “Beautiful Things,” a No. 2-peaking Billboard Hot 100 smash still in the chart’s top 10 over a year later, which led his debut album Fireworks & Rollerblades that April. Now, he’s hoping to capitalize on all his recent positive momentum with his sophomore album, American Heart. 

Though the album has not yet produced a top 10 hit on the level of “Beautiful Things” with any of its advance tracks, it has already launched two top 30 hits into the Hot 100, the racing “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else” and the fantastical “Mystical Magical” — both of which hit new peaks on the Hot 100 this week (Nos. 28 and 27, respectively). Consumption of both those hits should help boost the first-week numbers for American Heart, as might an in-joke-heavy video for new focus track “Mr. Electric Blue,” which debuted with the album on Friday (June 20), and features Boone poking fun of his reputation for backflip-overreliance and for only having one truly massive hit to his name so far.  

Also helping American Heart in its debut week — the album is available for physical purchase in more than five vinyl variants, as well as on standard CD and as part of a CD boxed set (with a T-shirt), and in two cassette editions. Perhaps not helping so much: The set’s early reviews, which have been mostly fairly nasty in their dismissals of the set. But every pop generation needs a couple young stars whose appeal absolutely flummoxes the critics, and Benson Boone appears well on his way to being one of those standard-bearers for Gen Z.  

Karol G, Tropicoqueta (Bichota/Interscope): After dominating 2023 with her Mañana Será Bonito set and its Bichota Season follow-up, Latin pop and reggaetón superstar Karol G is back with her new full-length set Tropicoqueta. The 20-track set features both big names of today (Feid, Greicy) and greats from an earlier generation (Manu Chao, Marco Antonio Solis) as Karol blends the contemporary with the classic on the set, in the vein of the recent retro-goes-modern stylings of Bad Bunny’s 2025 blockbuster Debí Tirar Mas Fotos.  

The set should stream well, and tracks from the album dotted the daily charts on both Spotify and Apple Music following the album’s Friday release — though none of them appear to be catching on as immediate breakout hits, and of the advance singles from the set, the only one to make a really lasting streaming impression was the now year-old “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” What’s more, Tropicoqueta’s debut will likely be hurt by its current lack of physical availability, with the set not due to be released for physical purchase until September.  

Regardless, it would have been unlikely to follow Mañana to another No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200, as Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem remains largely unmovable in the top spot after five weeks on top, as the streaming behemoth continues to pull in weekly units well into the six figures. Karol and Benson will be fighting for the No. 2 spot this week, with the final winner likely coming down to whether Karol’s more streaming-friendly set (American Hearts runs just 10 tracks to Tropicoqueta’s 20) can make up for the gap in sales from Benson’s myriad physical editions.  

HAIM, I Quit (Columbia): While the HAIM sisters have not had the Hot 100 presence of Benson Boone or Karol G in their now decade-plus careers, they’ve had consistent success on the Billboard 200, with each of their first three albums making the chart’s top 15. They’re likely to go four for four next week with the new breakup-themed set I Quit, which is also available in five vinyl variants and both standard and signed CD, and is drawing easily the strongest reviews of the week’s major new releases.  

Few bands are qualified to represent the LBC quite like Sublime, the legendary punk and ska outfit who’s original members trace their lineage to the very first Warped Tour in 1995.

Back in 1995, the Bradley Nowell-fronted group was touring in support of its first single, “Date Rape,” when they were asked to join the inaugural Warped Tour alongside No Doubt and future upstarts such as Deftones, Good Riddance, Lagwagon and Sick of It All. At one point, Sublime was eventually asked to leave the tour for a week due to the band’s dalmatian, Lou Dog, biting people.

“Basically, our daily regimen was wake up, drink, drink more, play, and then drink a lot more,” drummer Bud Gaugh told Time magazine at the time. “We’d call people names. Nobody got our sense of humor. Then we brought the dog out and he bit a few skaters, and that was the last straw.”

Fast forward 30 years, and Sublime is once again leading the pack, announced Wednesday (June 25) as a late-addition headliner for a relaunched Warped Tour stop in Long Beach, Calif., one of three total, July 26-27. Standing in for the late singer is son Jakob Nowell, who has performing alongside original band members Baugh and bassist Eric Wilson, who tells Billboard he’s “happy to be back on the Warped Tour again after all these years.”

GA and VIP tickets for Warped Tour Long Beach have sold out, and fans are encouraged to sign up for a waiting list for a shot at tickets.

Sublime is also playing Fear, Loathing and Sublime at the Dolby Live in Las Vegas on Aug. 14-15 with Pennywise, the Vandals and more. Vandals frontman Joseph Escalante is currently co-managing Sublime with music veteran Kevin Zinger.

“Wow, Warped tour!” Gaugh tells Billboard. “This has come full circle now with Sublime starting on the very first Warped, and now Warped is back together with Sublime at the center. Expect nothing less than utter chaos in Long Beach.”