J-pop festival Zipangu has teamed up with sponsor Xbox for a fashion collaboration with Fast & Furious franchise actor Sung Kang. The exclusive collaboration – in partnership with LA-based AAPI-led lifestyle brand UPRISERS LAB – is tied to the upcoming global release of the video game Forza Horizon 6, out Tuesday.

The collection is launching in conjunction with the inaugural Zipangu event on Saturday at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Zipangu is being billed as “the largest Japanese music event on U.S. soil devoted to Japanese music and culture,” according to promoters Goldenvoice and Cloud Nine. The One-day festival will feature performances from Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHANMINA, HANA, MAN WITH A MISSION, Yuki Chiba and 10-FEET.

The collection features two exclusive jacket styles constructed from upcycled Japanese selvedge denim and incorporates custom laser-etched design elements including cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, Japanese sports cars and Forza Horizon 6 and Zipangu branding. The Zipangu x Forza Horizon 6 Edition jacket is designed with 3M reflective silver taping running along the seams and the interior features a fully sublimated Forza Horizon 6 lining and a spec-designed controller pocket sized for Xbox and PlayStation controllers.

The Sung Kang x Forza Horizon 6 jacket features a soft periwinkle colorway inspired by Tokyo’s evening sky, with hand-sewn 3D cherry blossom denim appliqués and sashiko-style patches laser-etched with game iconography, including Japanese drift references and Forza Horizon 6 and Zipangu logos. Only six of these jackets were made.

“I’ve always believed the things we build should tell a story, not just about where we’re going, but where we come from,” said Sung Kang in a release. “This project brings together everything I love — cars, culture and craftsmanship. It’s something that moves with you, whether you’re on the road or stepping into another world.”

Fans can enter online through Xbox’s Instagram account for their chance to win one of the jackets. Fans attending Zipangu will also have a chance to win jackets on-site.

“Zipangu is about creating cultural connection through music, community and shared experience,” said Goldenvoice vp of regional festivals Ellen Lu in a release. “This collaboration reflects that vision – bringing together sound, style and storytelling in a way that resonates across cultures.”

Head here for more information on Zipangu and the fashion collaboration.

Hilary Duff fans can finally exhale with relief now that she’s performed “Breathe In. Breathe Out.” for the first time ever, more than a decade after its release.

The deep cut from her 2015 album of the same name made it onto the setlist of the singer/actress’ Thursday night (May 14) performance at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles for SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series. In a video captured by Billboard, Duff effortlessly belted out the fan-favorite track in a pair of jeans and ethereal pink top with a long train, her voice sounding buoyant and crystal clear.

“I made a top 10 list of all the things I missed/ Your lyin’ eyes and lips, they didn’t make it,” she croons as the fans in the crowd sing along to every word. “And when I’m cold at night, I know that I’ll survive/ Until I feel all right, I’m gonna fake it.”

Breathe In. Breathe Out. reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200, marking her last album until Luck … or Something arrived in February and ended her decadelong musical drought. In June, she’ll embark on her Lucky Me Tour.

In an interview with SiriusXM prior to her Thursday show, Duff opened up about how intimidating it was to launch her musical comeback after spending such a long time away. “I don’t even think I had processed how scary it was, you know?” she said. “To just be on stage again and singing my old songs actually felt more comfortable than singing some of the new ones.

“There’s, like, muscle memory with those,” she continued. “But these [new songs] feel so a part of who I am now that it’s just this really cool like combination.”

Watch Duff sing “Breathe In. Breathe Out.” live for the first time below.

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Spotify is raising its prices in Canada once again.

Starting in July, most of the major streaming platform’s premium services will rise $1 to $3 per month.

According to an email sent to premium Spotify Canada users, the price increases vary on account type, with the student account remaining the same price ($6.39), plus tax.

“This change means we can invest more in Premium. We are always working to improve Premium and deliver the best possible experience for you,” the email reads, linking to Canada’s premium offerings.

A Spotify spokesperson tells Billboard Canada: “Occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists,” but doesn’t expand on what exactly triggered the increase.

In recent years, Spotify has often re-evaluated its prices and royalty models, notably making changes to its revenue share payouts, which have de-monetized songs receiving fewer than 1,000 plays per year. In 2026, Billboard Canada reported that Canadian artists earned $544 million in royalties on Spotify.

Recently, the DSP celebrated its 20th anniversary by opening the vault for listeners to see the first-ever song they’ve streamed, along with their most-played tracks and top-streamed artist.

This serves as the first major price hike for the Canadian arm of the streaming platform in nearly two years. During the last rise in 2024, it appeared to be partially inspired by the “streaming tax” implemented in the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s 2024 decision with the Online Streaming Act.

The Canadian tribunal stated that foreign-owned media companies that operate in Canada and generate over $25 million in revenue would be required to pay 5% of those revenues into Canadian content funds. In response, many streamers — including Spotify, Apple and Amazon — took action to challenge the now-paused legislation that has become a hot button topic in today’s Canadian music industry.

“As we continue to innovate and invest in providing our listeners with greater value than ever before, we occasionally update our prices,” a spokesperson for Spotify told Billboard Canada back in 2024. “We may also adjust our prices to reflect local macroeconomic factors and meet market demands while offering an unparalleled service,” noting that they would not publicly comment further on the “legal challenge against the CRTC streaming tax in Canada.”

Read more here. — Heather Taylor-Singh

Executive of the Week: FACTOR’s Meg Symsyk on Why Supporting Canadian Music Means Supporting Cultural Sovereignty

When it comes to supporting Canadian music, FACTOR’s influence is immeasurable. One of the most crucial funders of art in the country, the non-profit’s impact is seen with its logo across countless acclaimed records and its name shouted out at concerts and award shows. But for president & CEO Meg Symsyk, it’s not just about supporting Canadian music or even Canadian artists: it’s about the sovereignty and identity of the country itself.

“Buying locally is more important than ever because of that consumer awareness and structural support. Canadians need to be encouraged to be more intentional. This last year and a half with the tariffs and the trade wars has put that on everyone’s front burner,” she explains.

The company recently announced $2 million in funding for live music. At a time when streaming has upended the way artists can get paid, supporting live music is more important than ever. It’s part of FACTOR’s mission to support the Canadian-owned music sector and give companies the chance to compete both at home and on the world stage.

Symsyk has been a central voice during the implementation of The Online Streaming Act, also known as Bill C-11, which aims to modernize legislation around media for the first time in a generation. As major foreign-owned streaming services fight against Canadian content funding obligations, Symsyk has been there to ensure the rollout is fair and equitable and that homegrown artists are supported.

Billboard Canada Women In Music’s 2025 Champion Award winner has also made sure that FACTOR lives up to its mandate to champion diversity and inclusion and reflect the Canadian population in its programs and operations.

Alongside Music Publishers Canada (MPC), FACTOR is once again supporting the Women in the Studio National Accelerator, which provides women and non-binary producer-songwriters with technical training, industry networking and career development. FACTOR is also a key Canadian supporter of the international Keychange program, which aims to empower underrepresented genders with training, mentoring and support along with opportunities at festivals and conferences. And Symsyk proudly supported The Beaches at Billboard Women in Music 2026 as they represented Canada and accepted the Global Force award on the international stage.

It’s all part of a career that began at Western University’s entertainment productions office, through radio promotion at Universal Music, and artist marketing for years with labels like Interscope and Geffen and more, then Anthem, where she became a protégé of late industry icon Pegi Cecconi. There, she became part of the “Rush family,” where she worked on the Canadian power trio’s global tour marketing and PR until they stopped touring in 2015, and is now playing a big role in their blockbuster reunion tour alongside her work at FACTOR. That experience culminates in the philosophy she leads with now, understanding the music industry from a bird’s eye view and using that vision to give Canadians a fighting chance.

As this week’s Executive of the Week, Symsyk spoke to Billboard Canada about the initiatives that FACTOR supports, how they fund who they fund, and — maybe most importantly — why they do.

Read our full interview here. — Richard Trapunski

Here’s How Toronto Celebrated Drake’s ‘Iceman’ Release

After nearly a year of teasing, Drake’s latest album, Iceman, is finally here.

A known champion of his hometown, the rapper has spent much of his decades-spanning career boosting his city, Toronto. The rollout for Iceman was no different.

Last night, Drizzy took over the CN Tower, projecting parts of his fourth livestream on the symbol of the city, turning it Iceman blue. From a triple-album drop to a shoutout to Mayor Olivia Chow to a spotlight on Canadian brands, Toronto is Drake’s playground, and we’re just living in it.

A day before Iceman dropped, there were whisperings that Drake was gearing up for some kind of stunt at the CN Tower. The rumours were true.

Last night (May 14), the city monument went icy blue to promote Iceman, while a segment of his fourth livestream was projected onto the building. During the clip, the rapper performed atop the CN Tower, as eager fans gathered in real time to witness the attraction.

Concluding the livestream, Drake erupted a massive fireworks display over the water at Harbourfront Centre that lasted over 10 minutes.

While many fans flocked to the CN Tower, Drake and his team hosted a private release party at the historic castle-like residence and event venue Casa Loma, in collaboration with Yorkville restaurant Powder Room. He was spotted celebrating with rapper Sexxy Red, basketball star Kevin Durant, comedian Shane Gillis and more. 

During the fourth Iceman livestream, one clip showed Drake roaming around inside an empty Toronto City Hall. He even sat at Mayor Olivia Chow’s desk while wearing her chain of office — a ceremonial symbol of authority and duty. To show his gratitude, he left a brief handwritten note for Chow on her desk.

“Thank you my crodi. Olivia Chow!” it reads, referring to the mayor with the Toronto slang term for a close friend or brother (Kendrick Lamar notably used it against him in his diss track, “Euphoria”). The 6 God ended the note with “Iceman 2026,” signing his government name — Aubrey Graham — and “6’er.”

Mayor Chow shared the note to Instagram, with the caption: “You’re welcome Iceman 🧊,” noting that Drake “is a big booster of our city. Happy to host his team at City Hall.”

Read more here. — H.T.S.

This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin poll — curated with key recommendations by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features a number of new albums, including Maluma’s Loco X Volver, Julieta Venegas’ Norteña, Gera MX’s X Amor Al Arte, Adriel Favela’s COBRA, and many more.

Notably, Sech dropped his sixth studio album called SECHO GANG. In contrast to his 2024 Tranki, Todo Pasa, where he opened up about some personal struggles and challenges, the new set demonstrates a healed man who’s ready to continue eating the world. On the 13-track set, the Panamania artist collaborates with Ryan Castro, Jay Wheeler, and Kris R., to name a few.

“This album is really special to me because it’s for my day one fans, the ones who have been there from the start,” he said in a press statement. “I put a lot of love into every song, and I’m excited for everyone to finally experience it. Secho Gang for life.”

Artists such as Becky G, Mon Laferte, and Lenny Tavárez, also released new music this week.

The most recent New Music Latin poll was topped by Sebastian Yatra and Augusto Alonso’s “Lo Que Me Pasa Con Vos” with more than 98% of the vote. Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.

Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, May 18.