Swedish producer Alesso has opened up about his recent experiences with tinnitus and how it has been the cause of numerous canceled shows in recent months.

The 33-year-old musician (whose real name is Alessandro Lindblad) took to social media on Monday (Feb. 3) to discuss his recent spate of live cancellations. Following near nonstop touring throughout 2024, Alesso was forced to cancel shows throughout Australia and Saudi Arabia, before his entire world tour was axed, with “a recent health issue combined with overexertion” being cited as the reason.

“I just wanted to be a little bit transparent on the situation,” the producer said in a video shared to Instagram. “So basically, two months ago, I woke up with the loudest ringing in my ears. I’m talking about 10 out of 10. I was in complete shock, and it was not after a show. I just woke up, and it was so intense.”

Noting that such problems related to hearing were “super common in the music industry”, Alesso admitted he too had experienced similar issues in the past, though not to this level.

“But the good news is I’m getting better,” he continued. “I took this as a sign to slow down, to prioritise my health, be more careful. I’ve been doing this for 14 years now, and I’ve never taken a break. So I’ve just been kind of focusing on that.”

Currently, Alesso’s website lists tour dates for the next six months, with his return to the stage set to take place at Belly Up Aspen in Colorado on Feb. 14. As he concluded his video, Alesso explained he’s working towards big events such as Miami’s Ultra Festival on March 30, and offered advice to his followers as he moves forward.

“I will be doing shows, but maybe not as many, as you can understand,” he explains. “I just wish everyone health this year. I want everyone to To be careful, wear ear protection. Remember, we’re only humans.“

Alesso rose to fame throughout the 2010s, beginning his musical career with a series of remixes, singles, and collaborations ahead of his only studio album to date, 2015’s Forever. The record peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the Tove Lo-featuring single “Heroes (We Could Be)”. The track would become his biggest commercial success in the U.S., hitting No. 31 on the Hot 100.

After news broke of the death of Murder Inc. Records co-founder Irv Gotti on Wednesday (Feb. 5), tributes poured in from the hip-hop world, including from the label where he got his start, Def Jam.

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Gotti started out in A&R at the hip-hop label, before co-founding the culture-dominating Murder Inc. imprint with his brother, Chris Gotti. In a statement posted to Instagram, Def Jam said the label was “deeply saddened” by Gotti’s death at age 54.

“Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti,” the statement reads. “His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip-hop and R&B. His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work.

Ye — who worked with Gotti on the 2019 song “Brothers,” from the exec’s anthology series Tales — took to Instagram to post the news and share a simple white dove emoji.

In true 50 Cent style, the rapper posted a photo of himself smoking next to a grave headstone that reads “RIP” alongside the Instagram caption: “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him LOL.” The second photo in his post is a red-carpet pic of the late mogul, who had a contentious relationship with the G-Unit rapper over the years.

Other tributes came from Hot 97 and Apple Music host Ebro Darden, as well as Loud Records founder Steve Rifkind, Empire’s Tina Davis and more.

The ever-prolific Neil Young has assured fans that 2025 will feature a new album, with the Canadian veteran offering an update on his debut album with new band The Chrome Hearts.

News of the upcoming record comes just weeks after Young shared “Big Change”, the first single to be released with his nascent band. The Chrome Hearts first debuted by Young back in September 2024, just months after an unspecified illness necessitated a “big unplanned break” from touring with longtime backing group Crazy Horse.

The Chrome Hearts, as Young himself describes, “reconfigures musicians he has worked with before”, with guitarist Micah Nelson, bassist Corey McCormick, drummer Anthony Logerfo, and organist Spooner Oldham comprising the lineup. While Nelson, McCormick, and Logerfo have performed with Young as members of Promise of the Real, Oldham has worked with Young for decades, appearing on records such as 1978’s Comes a Time and 1992’s Harvest Moon.

Working with producers John Hanlon and his brother-in-law Lou Adler at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu, Young explains that “Big Change” is the first taste of a forthcoming album from The Chrome Hearts, with the material being written throughout November and December.

“They feel fresh to me and I am very happy to have this all ready for you. It won’t be long now and it will be great to have new songs to play on the road this summer in Europe, the USA and Canada,” Young said via his website. “We are looking forward to that!”

Young added that the record is now in the mastering stage for vinyl, CD, and digital copies that are expected to be released in only a couple of months.

“I am very happy and relieved to have ths [sic] done in the short time it took,” he explained. “The album art has been completed and handed in with Jenice Heo. I am working on the lyric sheets now, hoping to hand-write the words and get them in, in time..

“It is a happy feeling I have today, knowing I have made an album I think people will enjoy. I hope it’s out in April. That would be pretty fast.”

Presuming the April release date is adhered to, it would make the as-yet-untitled record the second release from Young in 2025, with his “lost” 1977 album Oceanside Countryside set to drop on Feb. 14.

Young and The Chrome Hearts will also be performing at England’s Glastonbury Festival in June. Young’s inclusion on the lineup was marred by an “error in the information” which initially saw him distance himself from the event, labelling it a “corporate turn-off”.

The devastation left behind by the horrific wildfires in Los Angeles has drawn an outpouring of support, especially from the music community. Between the FireAid concerts at Inglewood, California’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum (Jan. 30)  — featuring a rainbow of stars from Billie Eilish to Stevie Wonder —  and the Grammy telecast (Feb. 2), more than $100 million in relief funds has been raised.

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Just as important, however, are the boots-on-the-ground efforts like that of local rap legend The Game, who recently visited Altadena, California, as Billboard News tagged along. Ravaged by the Hurst Fire that burned more than 500 acres, the generational community boasts a rich Black cultural legacy given that Altadena was one of the first L.A. areas that openly welcomed Black home ownership. Billboard News was there when The Game, a native of Compton, California, headed to Altadena to talk — and dole out hugs  — to first responders, local high school coaches, federal credit union members and more about their survival stories. 

“This is some serious … It’s serious business, man,” The Game says to a pair of firefighters while visiting their station house. “After this experience, now, when I hear a fire truck coming down the street, I’m pulling over and I’m not annoyed because usually it’s like ‘argh, I got to pull over.’ My hat’s on, but it’s off to you guys, man.”

The Game also spoke with coaches from several high schools — Maranatha, South Pasadena, Pasadena and John Muir — who shared moving stories about losses they suffered, as well as their students, while encouraging residents to rebuild and not leave. “This was a predominantly African-American neighborhood,” DeAnthony Langston tells The Game. “Just to see this is terrible, man; you coming out says a lot.”

Watch “Community Stories With The Game,” and to donate to Altadena’s wildfire relief fund, visit here.

Los Angeles Celtic punk band Flogging Molly have been forced to cancel all of their 2025 tour dates due to health issues faced by frontman Dave King.

The band shared the news on social media, alerting fans that Flogging Molly will be unable to headline their own Salty Dog Cruise, which launches on Feb. 17 as a five-night trip from Port of Miami to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

“Our fearless leader, the inimitable Dave King, is currently battling a very serious health condition,” the group wrote. “Dave and Bridget ask everyone to respect their privacy at this time, we will share as we can. Any good thoughts or prayers you can send Dave’s way, he and we would appreciate it.

“Unfortunately Flogging Molly will be unable to perform shows in 2025. With the Salty Dog Cruise 12 days away, the boat will sail as planned with 18 bands, and members of Flogging Molly, on board to celebrate the cruise, the community and our captain, Dave King.”

Currently no further details in regard to King’s condition have been made available. Flogging Molly’s 2025 tour itinerary was expected to kick off in earnest on Feb. 24 following their cruise, with dates in the U.S. scheduled across February and March, and shows throughout Europe and Canada planned across June, July, and August.

The Irish-born King formed Flogging Molly in 1994 after years spent as a musician in the U.K. Rising to fame as the vocalist for Fastway alongside ex-Motörhead guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke, King briefly performed with former Krokus guitarist Mandy Meyer in Katmandu before navigating his way out of a record contract with Epic Records to found Flogging Molly in Los Angeles.

The band released their first album in 2000, with 2008’s Float becoming their most successful to date – peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. The most recent studio album, Anthem, was released in 2022 and became the first in their career not chart.

Irv Gotti — who co-founded the hitmaking Murder Inc. Records label and helped make early 2000s superstars out of Ja Rule and Ashanti — has died after suffering a stroke, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. He was 54 years old.

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Alongside brother Chris, Irv Gotti launched Murder Inc. in 1998 as an imprint of Def Jam. Ja Rule was the label’s flagship artist, and Murder Inc.’s first release was his 1999 debut album Venni Vetti Vecci, which included the rapper’s first top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Holla Holla” (peaking at No. 35).

That was just the start of the commercial success of Murder Inc., which the Gotti brothers titled after the crime syndicate of the same name. In addition to Ja Rule, Gotti also discovered singer Ashanti as a teenager, who went on to find fame with melodic hooks alongside rap hits as well as her own solo R&B success. Ashanti’s three biggest hits all came in 2002: Ja Rule’s “Always on Time,” featuring Ashanti, was a two-week Hot 100 No. 1; Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?,” featuring Ashanti, peaked at No. 2; and her own “Foolish” spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100.

Murder Inc. also lent their rap bona fides to Jennifer Lopez’s rising music career, with Ja Rule features on “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny” leading to Hot 100 chart-toppers, spending five and six weeks at the pinnacle, respectively.

Between 1999 and 2005, Ja Rule amassed 17 total Hot 100 hits, including his three aforementioned No. 1s.

Gotti won a Grammy in 2003 for co-producing Ashanti’s eponymous debut album, which won for best contemporary R&B album. He was nominated again the following year for co-writing Ashanti’s “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby),” which was a finalist for best R&B song.

Both Murder Inc. and the Gotti brothers were plagued with legal issues over the years, including a federal raid at the label’s headquarters in 2003 as part of an investigation linking the Gottis to accused drug lord Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. In 2005, Irv and Chris were found not guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. In July 2024, Irv Gotti was sued for sexual assault and rape by a Jane Doe plaintiff who said the alleged abuse occurred while she was in a relationship with the hip-hop mogul from 2020 to 2022.

Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale has been in the music industry for over three decades, but even he admits he’s baffled by how young artists can sustain themselves financially in today’s streaming-driven landscape.

Speaking on Canada’s Q with Tom Power, the rocker didn’t hold back on his concerns about the modern music business.

“I’ve been a musician my whole life, and I’m at a loss to explain to someone how to do it, how to build from the ground up, how to get a career in that,” Rossdale said. “It’s just terrifying because how do musicians, how do young bands get paid? I can’t work it out.”

The 58-year-old rocker, who is preparing to hit the road with Bush this spring alongside Rival Sons and Filter, He went on to describe the industry’s longstanding financial imbalance, calling it “the same deal—artists getting screwed, record companies making a fortune.”

While streaming may offer exposure, Rossdale pointed out that it doesn’t always translate to sustainability. “Maybe you get one song with loads of streams, but we know that barely pays.”

“You just do the best you can. And you can obviously make money touring, but it takes a while to build up a catalog, so if you wanna come and see you, that’s a crap shoot.”

Rossdale, who rose to fame in the ’90s when CD sales and MTV airplay could catapult a band into the mainstream, pointed out the stark difference between then and now.

“I think it’s much, much harder now, and it was nearly impossible then. So, I don’t know what the odds are, but they don’t feel good for young musicians, which breaks my heart for them because we always need music.”

He added,”We always need people’s opinions. A.I. can take care of many things, but you talk about people relating to other people, it’s by writing that brutally painful, honest lyric that other people can relate and get strength from.”

Rossdale isn’t alone in his concerns. Artists across genres have been speaking out about streaming payouts, with industry veterans and rising stars alike calling for better compensation structures. The issue has even led to policy debates, as musicians advocate for reforms in how streaming revenue is distributed.

Rossdale rose to widespread fame as the frontman for British rock outfit Bush, who reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with their 1994 debut album, Sixteen Stone, which included charting singles such as “Comedown” and “Glycerine”. Two years later, they would best their previous accomplishments and top the chart with 1996’s Razorblade Suitcase. Their latest album, The Art of Survival, arrived in 2022.

Bush will embark on a North American tour this spring, kicking off in April. Tickets are available now.

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.

As much as our teddy coats and oversized leather jackets can provide warmth and style at the same time, when it comes to protecting us from the rain, you’ll most likely end up soaked. Rain jackets are a wardrobe essential as they can keep you dry without sacrificing warmth or trendiness.

You don’t just want any rain jacket either; the best rain jackets will keep out water and wind no matter if it’s a sprinkle or downpour. No matter what your needs are, most quality rain jackets can be priced at upward of $100+, but you don’t need to break the bank to get a durable rain jacket. REI has made it easier to snag luxury for less with up to 30% off the popular Patagonia Houdini Jacket.

The outdoor brand beloved by musicians like Drake, Kanye West and Harry Styles, Patagonia’s latest sale gets you their bestselling water-repellent jacket that’s coated in DWR and weighs only 3.4 ounces for just $75. What’s arguably one of its best features is the ability to fold it down into a compact pouch for easier storage when you’re on the go — we’re talking small enough to fit in your backpack or travel tote bag.

Keep reading to score the deal before it inevitably sells out.

Best Patagonia Houdini Jacket Sale 2025: Shop Rain Jacket for 32% Off

Patagonia Houdini Jacket

$73.93 $109 32% off

Buy Now on rei

Right now, you can take 32% off Patagonia’s Houdini Jacket, which drops the price down to a wallet-friendly $73. Choose from five colors on sale, in sizes XS to XXL. In addition to the lightweight (yet surprisingly warm) construction, the jacket includes a hood to help protect your hair and face from wind and rain. There are also two built-in pockets for storing small belongings or keeping your hands warm.


Reviewers love how the jacket moves with you, which is especially important if you enjoy outdoor adventures whether it’s hiking, running or biking. Get the Patagonia Houdini Jacket on sale for $73 here.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best running shorts, shoes for travel and winter boots for women under $100.

Head in the Clouds is returning to its spiritual home of California for its upcoming 2025 edition. 

Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival, put on by music and media company 88rising and Los Angeles concert promoter Goldenvoice, will return to Brookside at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the weekend of May 31 and June 1, with G-Dragon, 2NE1, Dean, and DPR Ian set to headline the event.

The two-day affair will also feature Rich Brian, a Porter Robinson DJ set, a long-awaited reunion of Higher Brothers, and 88rising’s 10-year Anniversary Finale, though specifics are yet to be announced as to what it will entail. 

The list of headliners also features a “mysterious set” described only as ‘The Magic Show?!?’, with a press release noting it “calls to mind a certain similarly titled smash album”. Online speculation has already arisen as to whether this will be a set from 88rising artist Jackson Wang, whose 2022 album Magic Man resulted in a Coachella appearance the next year where he was joined onstage by magician Kevin Li.

As always, producers have promised to turn the Rose Bowl into a “celebration of Asian-centric music, art, and cuisine”. First launching in 2018 at Los Angeles State Historic Park, Head in the Clouds has since expanded globally, with events in Jakarta, Manila and China in recent years.

In 2023, it also ventured over to the east coast of the U.S., with the inaugural Head in the Clouds New York Music & Arts Festival marking a homecoming of sorts for 88rising, which was founded in New York City back in 2015. The New York debut welcomed NIKI, Rich Brian, Beabadoobee and more.

Presale registration is live from today (Feb. 4) with the general on-sale launching Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. ET and tickets can be purchased at the festival website.

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.

Collecting vinyl is only half of the fun of owning a record player. Once you build up your knowledge, you can enjoy testing out more advanced turntables as well as experiment with setting up a crisp listening experience filled with high-performance speakers and stylish vinyl record holders.

As nostalgia continues making its way into the mainstream beyond belly chains and jelly shoes, record players are having a major moment in home decor and tech. Vinyl enthusiasts now have the opportunity to take advantage of modernized record players that have evolved and come with more advanced features such as Bluetooth and the ability to play multiple speeds. Plus, artists today have begun adding vinyl record releases in addition to streaming, allowing you to enjoy spinning popular artists today or classics from the past.

Whether you’re an experienced record collector who knows how to safely clean vinyl, are a beginner starting your record-playing journey or are just looking for gifts for music lovers, there are a few things every record collector should have in their arsenal.

From unique pieces of home decor that’ll turn your favorite records into wall art to vinyl-storing essentials, there are a mix of must-have items for every aesthetic and budget.

Keep reading to discover all of the essentials every collector should own.

What Are the Best Vinyl Record Player Accessories?

Below, ShopBillboard rounded up some of the bestselling vinyl record player accessories to shop now.

black vinyl record cleaning kit

EVEO Premium Vinyl Record Cleaner Kit

$19.97 $26.97 26% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Keep your turntable and records in tip-top shape using EVEO’s 4-in-1 cleaning kit. Within it, you’ll find everything you may need, including a velvet brush and cleaning fluid specifically for albums, a hands-free turntable needle gel cleaner and a duster brush.


black stylus force scale

Neoteck Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge

Part of keeping your vinyls in pristine shape is making sure your record player needle’s force isn’t too heavy. That’s where a turntable stylus force scale comes in, like this one from Amazon, available for under $20.

Here’s how it works: lay the device on a still record, then turn the turntable on and wait until the device zeros out. Place the needle on the center dot and read the grams on the display. The scale will measure the force or pressure exerted to give you a gauge on how it’s affect sound quality and the longevity of your LPs.


wooden gel needle cleaner

KAIU Anti-Static Turntable Stylus Gel Cleaner

$14.28 $15.93 10% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Owning a record player also means you’ll need to do some maintenance to keep the device working seamlessly. That includes cleaning your stylus, which is where this gel cleaner comes in. It comes with a polyurethane gel that’ll help gently remove built-up dust, which, if not cleaned can lead to damaging your records.


different colored vinyl blades james

The Abbey Little Fixed-Blade For All Occasions

Getting a package filled with new vinyls can be exciting, but since they’re made from delicate materials you need to be gentle when opening packages. This fixed blade was originally designed with opening vinyl in mind as it uses a thin blade that won’t knick or slice the actual record. It also versatile and can be used to open letters, boxes and more.


Best Vinyl Record Player Accessories 2025: Storage, Display, Cleaning

KAIU Vinyl Record Storage Holder

$28.99 $35.99 19% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Spotlight your record collection with this storage holder that can fit up to 50 12-inch LPs or 7-inch singles. If you’re prone to dropping things, the design was built to be shatterproof and features durable materials like break-resistant acrylic and wood.


tie dye vinyl storage box

Snap-N-Store Vinyl Record Storage Box

$22.25 $23.49 5% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Large collections can’t always fit in one stand, which is why it’s good to own a storage box for any leftover records. This box comes with an eye-catching tie-dye pattern (perfect for Grateful Dead fans) and can hold up to 75 12-inch records. The vinyl material will also help protect your records from dust and water damage.


Best Vinyl Record Player Accessories 2025: Storage, Display, Cleaning

Big Fudge 12-Inch Outer Sleeves for Vinyl Records

These outer sleeves may seem like a basic accessory to own, but they’ll go a long way in protecting the quality of your records. Included is 25 sleeves made from a high-density polypropylene that will stand up to water damage while keeping out dust and dirt that could scratch or ruin records.


Best Vinyl Record Player Accessories 2025: Storage, Display, Cleaning

YuanDian Light up Now Playing Vinyl Record Stand

Looking to show off your records? You can spotlight whatever you’re listening to with Yuan Dian’s Light-Up Vinyl Record Stand. This stand can not only be mounted to your wall, but has a built-in glow to shine a light on what tunes you’re spinning for the day.


Best Vinyl Record Player Accessories 2025: Storage, Display, Cleaning

MAWEW Record Player Stand

Even if you’re new to owning vinyl, your guests don’t have to know that, and this record player stand can assist in giving off the vibe that you know what you’re doing. The top portion allows you to keep your record player in a safe spot that also puts it on display. Underneath are slots for storing your vinyl, while the side comes with a hook to hang your over-ear headphones or tote bags.


black turntable preamp

Pyle Phono Turntable Preamp

$14.97 $22.99 35% off

Buy Now On Amazon

For less than $15 (as of this writing), Pyle’s Phono Turntable Preamplifier will help boost your turntable’s signal if it’s not already built into it. What this does enhance the sound quality and overall better your listening experience. Even if your turntable has one built-in, if you want better quality, then an external one like this will only sharpen the sound.


Best Vinyl Record Player Accessories 2025: Storage, Display, Cleaning

MCS Record Album Frame

$26.99 $34.99 23% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Turn your most coveted records into a stylish piece of art using this simple frame. There are five shades to choose from and seven sizes depending on what your needs are. This makes for a great wall hanging for your bedroom, office, living room or den.


three record player needles

TSV 3 Pcs Stylus Replacement

When it’s time to replace your needle, this three-pack is here to serve your needs — and for less than $10. All replacement needles come with a cover and is built with a vinyl-friendly ceramic needle. The needles are also compatible with most turntables including Crosley, ION, Jensen, Victrola and 1byone.


black vinyl carrying case

Victrola Vintage Vinyl Record Carrying Case

$48.49 $69.99 31% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Want to take your vinyl with you on the go? Add this carrying case to your cart and worry less about scratching or damaging records. It can hold up to 30 records and is made from a heavy duty vinyl material that’ll protect your precious collection from bumps and tumbles thanks to its edge guards and lock system. This is a much better way to carry your collection than in a backpack or tote.


white bookshelf speakers

Ethos Powered Speakers

Some record players require separate speakers in order to hear your vinyls played in the best possible quality. We’ve tested out U-Turn’s bookshelf speakers and while they are more of a splurge, the compact design makes them small-space friendly while the three-way sound system condenses it into one source rather than investing in multiple sound systems. The speakers also come with Bluetooth capabilities that’ll allow you to stream music from your smart device as well.


black portable vinyl record player

Udreamer Vinyl Record Player

$45 $99.99 55% off

Buy Now on walmart

And, of course, if you collect vinyl, make sure you have a record player turntable to play spin it on. Udreamer’s model is currently 55% off and comes in a convenient briefcase for portability. It supports three playback speeds and can play three different record sizes: 7 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches. You won’t need speakers either as it has built-in ones and Bluetooth capabilities, which allows you to connect your phone and stream music.


For more product recommendations, check out Billboard‘s roundups of the best record players and turntables, portable CD players and the best celebrity headphones.