Almost three decades after the release of their final album, a newly-active Sublime have revealed they’re currently in the studio working on a new record.

The group, which disbanded in 1996 following the passing of frontman Bradley Nowell, found themselves active once again in late 2023 when it was reported Nowell’s son Jakob was fronting the group. Following live performances at the likes of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2024, the group have now told Rolling Stone the reformation is set to feature a new record.

The 29-year-old explained that he had recently spent a week working with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and producer John Feldmann penning tracks for the new album. Founding members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh will reportedly join for recording sessions soon.

“Travis is an old-school fan and scholar of the Sublime catalog,” Nowell said. “They feel like family members now too, man. There was that feeling from everyone that what we’re doing here is something generational and special on an emotional, spiritual, familial level.” 

In a statement, Barker noted that the project was “going to be really special,” with the spirit of the group’s late frontman still present within the band. “Bradley comes through his son Jakob,” he added. “Chills every day in the studio when he sings and plays guitar.”

Cynical fans who might be expecting the album to be a poor imitation of what was once was have also had their fears assuaged somewhat, with Nowell specifically noting that the plan isn’t to create a modern, updated version of the band. “No, just more of a solid respect and homage to the works of Sublime,” he says.

Wilson and Gaugh co-founded Sublime with the late Bradley Nowell in 1988, with the group’s first two albums – 1992’s 40oz. to Freedom and 1994’s Robbin’ the Hood – released on the independent Skunk Records label, which Nowell co-founded. 

Nowell died of a heroin overdose in May 1996 at the age of 28, just two months before the release of their self-titled major label debut. The record would peak at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, while lead single “What I Got” would top the Alternative Airplay chart in August 1996. Their sole Hot 100 entry came by way of “Doin’ Time” in December 1997, when it hit No. 87.

In 2009, Wilson and Gaugh reunited under the Sublime name with vocalist Rome Ramirez. Use of the band’s name was denied by the Nowell estate, leading to the creation of Sublime With Rome, which would continue with varying lineups until their official dissolution in 2024.

In May 2024, the reformed Sublime issued the track “Feels Like That,” which features Stick Figure alongside vocals from both Bradley and Jakob Nowell. According to Jakob’s latest comments, this archival discovery process has been integral to his new role up the front of thee acclaimed band.

“We’re combing through and trying to distill down what makes a Sublime song a Sublime song,” he explained. “It’s been this fun learning process to get close to and get to know my lost family member in a spiritual sense. I think we leave so much of ourselves, like this blueprint of our DNA, in the work that we create and put out there. So really it’s been also a fact-finding mission.”

LE SSERAFIM scores its second No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated March 29) as the ensemble’s new HOT debuts atop the tally. The set sold 38,500 copies in the U.S. in the week ending March 20, according to Luminate, marking the best sales week yet for the act. It’s the fifth top 10 in total for the group, which previously reached No. 1 with its last chart entry, 2024’s Crazy.

Also debuting in the top 10 of the latest Top Album Sales chart: new releases from Playboi Carti, Coheed and Cambria, Steven Wilson, Charli xcx and Charley Crockett.

Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album (TEA) units and streaming equivalent album (SEA) units.

The first-week sales of LE SSERAFIM’s Crazy were bolstered by its availability across more than 20 CD variants (all containing collectible paper ephemera, some randomized). 98% of the album’s first-week sales were from CD purchases. (The album was only available to buy as a CD and a digital download.)

Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM falls to No. 2 with 24,000 sold (down 82%) after debuting at No. 1 a week ago.

Playboi Carti’s MUSIC debuts at No. 3 with 14,500 copies sold – the rapper’s best sales week. It was available to purchase only as a digital download in its opening week – a widely available standard 30-song set, as well as three variants exclusive to the artist’s official webstore (the variants each have between one or two bonus tracks each).

Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping GNX climbs 6-4 with nearly 13,000 sold (though down 18%).

Coheed and Cambria clocks its 11th top 10-charting effort on Top Album Sales, as the rock outfit’s latest album The Father of Make Believe bows at No. 5 with 12,000 sold. Its first-week sales were aided by the album’s availability across five vinyl variants, a CD, a widely available download edition and two cassette tapes.

Sabrina Carpenter’s former No. 1 Short n’ Sweet rises a rung to No. 6 with 10,000 sold (though down 13%).

Steven Wilson lands his first top 10-charting set on Top Album Sales as his new studio effort The Overview enters at No. 7 with nearly 10,000 sold – his best sales week since 2015. The album was available in three vinyl variants, a standard CD, a deluxe boxed set, a blu-ray audio, a cassette tape and two download editions.

Charli xcx’s remix album Brat and It’s Completely Different – comprising only remixes of material from her Brat studio album – debuts at No. 8 with just over 8,000 sold, solely from vinyl sales.

Chappell Roan’s former leader The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess dips 8-9 on Top Album Sales with 8,000 sold (down 8%).

Charley Crockett rounds out the top 10 with his new album, Lonesome Drifter, debuting at No. 10 with nearly 8,000 sold – his best sales week ever. It’s the first top 10 for the artist, and eighth charting set overall. The set was available across four vinyl variants (including a signed edition), a standard CD, download and a cassette tape.

Shakira continues breaking records in Mexico, where she will perform four additional shows as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour, including one more date at the capital’s GNP Seguros Stadium on August 29, OCESA announced on Wednesday (March 26).

“11 dates are not enough; the She-Wolf will return with four more dates in August and September,” the promoter said on social media.

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With this, the Colombian superstar will reach the historic milestone of eight performances at the aforementioned venue (previously known as Foro Sol) over two separate phases of her tour. The feat surpasses shows by other international icons such as Paul McCartney, Metallica, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift.

The other three tour dates in Mexico will be at Estadio Corregidora in Querétaro on September 2, Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on September 6, and Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla on September 12. Presale tickets for Banamex cardholders will take place on March 28, while general ticket sales will begin on March 29, added the promoter.

On Tuesday night (March 25), Shakira performed the fourth of seven concerts that make up her unprecedented residency at Estadio GNP Seguros, making her the first artist to sell out such a number of nights at the imposing venue, which will bring together a total of 455,000 attendees, according to OCESA.

Launched on February 11 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour is set to visit the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Colombia before arriving in the United States on May 13.

In an interview with Billboard Español in Mexico City, Shakira said that the tour has become something more intimate and profound. “These are more than just concerts. They are deep encounters where healing happens,” she said, adding that, with each performance, she feels “stronger and happier.”

Check out OCESA’s announcement below.

Chappell Roan named SZA as her dream collaborator on the latest episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, and the “Kill Bill” superstar is returning the love.

SZA took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday (March 26) to share the snippet from the podcast, writing over the clip, “Actually didn’t believe this quote when I saw it written til I saw it come out her mouth [just] now ’cause DEAD A– SAME.”

She continued, “pls we must,” with a string of sparkle emojis. See the Story before it disappears here.

SZA has been Roan’s longtime fan, often gushing over her on social media. After the “Good Luck, Babe!” singer performed at Lollapalooza last summer, SZA wrote over Roan’s post via her Instagram Stories, “She makes me wanna keep making new music n art forever.”

Roan isn’t the only potential collaborator in SZA’s future. The singer stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show this week, where she discussed posing with Taylor Swift at the Grammys. “Every time she walks up to me or approaches me, I’m just like, ‘All right, this is happening, because that’s fully Taylor Swift,’” gushed the R&B hitmaker. “I think I mentioned that I would love to write with her and build some things together. I love her storytelling. She was open to it. I think she’s awesome. She’s so bossed up.”

She even named Roan in the same interview among her favorite singer-songwriters who use their music as avenues for storytelling, additionally including Gracie Abrams, Lola Young, Doechii and Olivia Rodrigo. 

Johnny Mathis is taking a step back from live performances.

His retirement from the stage was announced via a Facebook post on Wednesday (March 26), which notes that all shows scheduled after June 2025 will be canceled, as his final show will take place May 18 at the Bergan Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ. “As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” the statement reads. “So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring and live concerts.”

The statement concludes, “Johnny Mathis and his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love and support of his music! It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’”

See the post here.

The legendary singer is known for songs including “Wonderful! Wonderful!” and “It’s Not for Me to Say.” In 2003, he was honored by the Recording Academy with the Lifetime Achievement Award and he was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three separate recordings: in 1998 for “Chances Are,” in 2002 for “Misty” and in 2008 for “It’s Not for Me to Say.”

In 2014, Mathis was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame. On the Billboard charts, his 1963 album, Johnny’s Greatest Hits, spent a whopping 215 total weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart and notched the top 40. Over on the Hot 100, he reached the summit with his Deniece Williams collaboration, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” in 1978.

With Doechii being honored at Billboard Women in Music this upcoming Saturday as Woman of the Year, Billboard staffers share their take on the internet debating if she’s an industry plant, and explain why she isn’t.

Keep watching to see their take!

What do you think an industry plant is? Let us know in the comments below!

Jerah Milligan:

Yo, y’all see Twitter going crazy talking about Doechii and Billboard? 

Evan Burke:

Oh, my god, yeah. I gotta show you this one. Someone said “kind of awesome that it’s only March and Billboard’s like’ we’ve seen enough it’s Doechii.’” I mean, but it’s legit though. I mean, she just won a Grammy that only two other women has ever won. 

Ciara Zimring:

She’s killing it. 

Evan Burke:

And I mean, Women in Music always happens every March. So it’s not like we just decided.

Stefanie Tanaka:

It’s not like this is, like, the first time we’ve done it. We kind of did something similar, with SZA like, ‘SOS’ came out at the very end of, like, 2022 when she was our Woman of the Year in March, and then she had that great run in 2023 with ‘SOS.’ 

Tetris Kelly:

But I feel like what they’re really doing is just putting Billboard in the conversation that they were already trying to have about Doechii being an industry plant.

Evan Burke:

I mean, they’ve always been trying to discredit her success. I mean, she has been like in the game forever. She was our Rising Star two years ago. So it’s not like she is brand new. 

Tetris Kelly:

Oh my god. Two years ago, I was talking to her at Coachella. 

Ciara Zimring:

Oh, right! 

Jerah Milligan:

Oh, well five years ago I saw her on Twitter. I saw her post “ I lost my job. I’m going to go knock on doors” 

Keep watching for more!

It’s time to listen to some Music For People Who Believe in Love.

Joe Jonas‘ upcoming solo album is officially arriving on May 23, as revealed in an Instagram video the superstar shared on Wednesday (March 26) showing off the vinyl edition of the project. The album was previously scheduled to arrive on October 18.

”This album is a celebration of gratitude, hope, and love. These songs reflect on my life from a bird’s-eye view acknowledging the many blessings around me,” Jonas wrote in a lengthy statement announcing the project in July 2024. “This album speaks to the experiences of being a father, being a friend to oneself and others, and the happiness I’ve found in doing what I love for a living. I feel incredibly fortunate to travel the world and connect with people through my music, as well as having had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented musicians, songwriters, and producers on this project.”

Between Jonas Brothers and DNCE, Joe is a part of several musical collectives, but it’s been 13 years since he released his only solo album, 2011’s Fast Life. Led by the Chris Brown-penned “See No More,” which peaked at No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, the LP peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200. Jonas would go on to oscillate between Jonas Brothers and DNCE releases, while younger brother Nick Jonas enjoyed a more consistent solo career before the brothers reunited in 2019

Are you tired of Boldy James yet? Well, you better get comfortable because the Detroit MC is set to drop yet another project next week with Harlem producer V Don on Apr. 4 in Alphabet Highway.

So far, the duo have released two singles. Earlier this month, they dropped “Split the Bill” and earlier today they premiered the video for “RSNS.”

Shot in Amsterdam and directed by Gijs Mortier, the video shows Boldy walking through the streets of Amsterdam flipping words like only he can with lines like, “Think I’m a lick or somethin’, nickname my 4-5 GloRilla.”

In an interview with Billboard about his album with Harry Fraud, Boldy said he records a ton of music and chooses to release it when he feels that the business end of things is air tight.

“I sit on a lot of music,” he said. Y’all don’t usually hear my music no sooner than a year or two after I make it. The most recent, current to date, like music that I make up into the point where y’all get a chance to hear it is maybe The Alchemist projects and the Nic Craven projects.”

Adding, “Everything else usually take a minute to come out, because we got a hash out the layout, the business arrangements and agreements, you know, terms and conditions.”

James started the year off with Murder During Drug Traffic with RichGains and Permanent Ink in January, Token of Appreciation with Chuck Strangers in February, and is planning on dropping Hommage with Antt Beatz on Mar. 28.

And after Alphabet Highway is released on Apr. 4, he and Real Bad Man are coming with Conversational Pieces on May 2.

Check out the video below.

In today’s episode of Billboard Unfiltered, Billboard staffers Carl Lamarre, Trevor Anderson and Kyle Denis are joined by Nyla Symone as they discuss Playboi Carti’s big week on the Billboard charts with ‘MUSIC,’ Ye’s surprise drop of ‘Bully’ and the mixed reactions surrounding it, the women in Hip-Hop and R&B being honored at Women in Music and more.

What do you want to hear more of? Drop your suggestion in the chat!

Billboard’s Women in Music event will take place this Saturday March 29th at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.

Carl Lamarre:

Gentlemen and lady in the house. Y’all already know the usual suspects here. We have a special guest today, you may have seen her on ‘The Breakfast Club,’ ‘We Need To Talk’ podcast, Hip-Hop Nation, the one and only Miss Nyla Symone.

Nyla Symone:

I love that, thank you!

Carl Lamarre: 

You know a little something, something.

Nyla Symone:

That’s a good intro.

Carl Lamarre:

Yes, yes. How are you feeling?

Nyla Symone:

I feel good, I’m so excited to be here.

Carl Lamarre:

Okay, you ready to rock and roll with us degenerates?

Nyla Symone:

Yes.

Carl Lamarre:

I love that. 

Kyle Denis:

Degenerates is crazy.

Trevor Anderson:

She’s already elevating the whole-

Nyla Symone:

I’m like on this sh*t. Let’s do it. 

Carl Lamarre:

Bringing it up, the first thing we’re going to talk about is the caption of the YN’s, Mr. Playboi Carti. Kyle is so hyped for this.

Kyle Denis:

That’s my guy.

Carl Lamarre:

Mr. Carti had an amazing, d*mn near immaculate week. He is No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 298,000 album equivalent units which is the biggest streaming rap album of the year. Biggest rap set of the year. Mr. Playboi Carti, also 30 songs on the Hot 100. No. 2 being “EVIL J0RDAN,” No. 4 being “Rather Lie” with The Weeknd. These are some big, big numbers.  

Keep watching for more!

Meek Mill took to X to address claims made by recently incarcerated Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crip rapper Luce Cannon in a resurfaced clip.

After Cannon was swept up in the Eugene ‘Big U’ Henley Jr. RICO case, Akademiks TV posted a three-minute video of the rapper making the claim on DJ Akademiks’ podcast Off the Record, saying he and others ran up on Meek Mill over “talking real reckless on Twitter” during a club performance, took him outside, and made him call Rick Ross to pay $50,000 for his release.

Meek then posted a screenshot from a HipHopDX article and claimed that he never met Luce Cannon and doesn’t know who he is. “This guy must be using a story to confuse his indictment because I never seen him B4,” he tweeted. “I woulda put him to ‘gods test’ on the spot! I never even met buddy but I don’t ‘negotiate’ with fake thugs ask him what chain because all my chains some sh– lol watches all 300k up vibes.”

He then added that he’s respected out West after a fan said they hadn’t heard Cannon’s story up and until recently when responding to another claiming the only reason Meek addressed this at all is because Luce is currently locked up.

“It’s a real world,” he said. “Real LA n—as that respect the sh—t out me how I carry myself in an open arms wya to build my people up ion care where you from… that’s why you seen my around NIPSEY and others … men of respect and honor!”

Adding, “Me, Nipsey, YG, Mustard and few others made sure we didn’t follow the East Coast West Coast narrative! I changed my life by blessings …. but i always been down to meet up with ‘fake street bullies’ in abandon areas where it’s no civilians and take they heart!”

Big U and Luce Cannon are accused of racketeering, extortion, human trafficking, fraud and the murder of a 21-year-old aspiring rapper who signed to Big U’s Uneek Music label, among other charges.