Emily Saliers, one-half of the Indigo Girls (alongside Amy Ray), says she’s facing two incurable medical conditions that will affect her vocal performance on the duo’s upcoming tour.

Saliers shared she’s “had this diagnosis for a while” in a post published on the band’s Instagram account on Saturday (April 18). She said “the conditions get incrementally worse over time.”

In a video recorded during tour rehearsals in Atlanta, the artist explained she “wanted to be completely forthcoming” about her experience with cervical dystonia (a neurological movement disorder) and essential tremor (a nervous system disorder).

“Many of you have noticed that my voice — maybe all of you have noticed, it’s pretty noticeable — that my voice is not what it once was,” she said in the clip. “So I wanted to share with you that I’ve been diagnosed with two movement disorders. One is called cervical dystonia with torticollis, which basically is in the part of my brain that controls movement. And in other people with this condition, the brain sends signals to tighten muscles. So because of the cervical dystonia, my head twists to the right and is misaligned. It can cause shaking of the head. It’s impossible for me to hold my head centrally without shaking, things like that. So structurally, obviously, that is problematic for this whole throat area.”

Saliers continued, “But the other diagnosis, which is harder in fact for me, is an essential tremor. And the essential tremor causes involuntary shakes or movement, and it affects all the parts of my singing apparatus, the larynx, the pharyngeal muscles, my jaw and my diaphragm from which I get all the air for singing. So I’m unable to make the connections muscularly and structurally because of the essential tremor. What else the essential tremor does is give me this — I am gonna call it horrible, because it’s horrible to me — vibrato that I never used to have. I am completely physically unable to hold a straight tone the way I used to.”

“What you, our community, have come to, I think, appreciate and love about some of our harmonies is the way we can hold long straight tones together. So I want to give you a heads up about that, in full transparency,” she said.

The Indigo Girls — whose Swamp Ophelia and Shaming of the Sun albums were top 10 hits on the Billboard 200 in the mid-’90s, and who’ve had five albums reach the top 5 on the Americana/Folk Albums chart; they’re also Grammy winners, having received the best contemporary folk recording award in 1990 for their self-titled Indigo Girls set — are launching a U.S. tour this week. They kick things off in Athens, Ohio, on Friday (April 24). Dates are scheduled through mid-December.

Saliers detailed her treatment plan, which consists of therapeutic massage, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and Botox shots in her neck and shoulders — all of which can mitigate symptoms. She says she’s also working with a vocal coach with expertise in helping singers who have movement disorders.

“Unfortunately there’s no cure for these, so the honest fact is that my voice will not be what it was,” she said of her diagnoses. “That’s really hard for me. Amy’s been super supportive, and we want you to know that as we get ready for these shows, we are doing everything we can to make the songs sound as good as they can possibly sound or ever sound, which includes all the modern digital tools that front-of-house engineers use to help singers sound better.”

Later in the video, Saliers shared,” I hate that I’m only 62 and it’s happened to me, but we are both aging. People age. We are trying to look at this organically as a process of our own aging.”

Saliers received support from bandmate Ray in the video, as well as many industry peers and fans in the comments section of her post.

“You are the definition of authenticity, courage and grace,” Chely Wright said in a comment.

Brandi Carlile wrote, “This is why these two have been my heroes and the only reason I ever picked up a guitar. Being an @indigogirls fan is a life-long privilege. Indigo Girls fans already have an evolved perspective on aging and a deeper understanding of how badass vulnerability really is. This is because of the music they have given us. Wisdom breeds wisdom. To say we have Emily’s back is the understatement of the century. If you love to sing, Emily, sing. We will be there singing with you. We are the luckiest fans in the world – we know our verses, and we know the words to every song. Let’s sing them back at the Indigo Girls louder than ever.”

Jennifer Nettles wrote, “Forever in both of your corners! Forever a fan! Forever your friend. Your whole community of fans and friends are with you and I will be in the front row clapping the loudest and singing to the top of my lungs!! Your music sings and grows and evolves right along with life. Ever transforming. Thank you for your hearts and support of each other. You are inspiration to us all. See you on the road!!!”

Eddie Murphy took a moment to look out at the star-studded room at the American Film Institute ceremony — at his family, his peers, the people who have shared his journey — and let it all sink in.

“Seeing all of my family, all my kids, my beautiful wife, and seeing all the different people I worked with, I’m just really filled up,” said Murphy, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday night (April 18). “This is a special moment. I wish y’all could feel what I’m feeling, see what I’m seeing. I almost teared up. I’m going to get backstage and cry.”

Just before accepting the award, Murphy was met with a standing ovation, stepping onstage and moving through the ballroom as the applause followed. Along the way, he passed Spike Lee, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Arsenio Hall and Judge Reinhold.

The tribute, which also featured appearances from Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Eva Longoria, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kenan Thompson, will premiere as a special on Netflix on May 31.

Murphy, 65, has moved from a teenage stand-up sensation to a breakout force on Saturday Night Live to a box office mainstay with films like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor and the Shrek franchise.

Large images from those defining moments filled the venue stage, tracing a career that has crossed stand-up, television and film.

“Eddie made us laugh and made our nation feel better,” said Lee, who presented the award to Murphy. “I took a camera and told stories on how our nation could be better. … We both pushed culture forward. … Every step of this journey, Eddie has been true to himself.”

Comedians pointed to Murphy’s influence across generations.

“There is no us without you,” Rock said.

Lawrence, who starred in the film Life with Murphy, shared a personal moment from early in his career, recalling how Murphy once declined his request for a photo. But now, that shouldn’t be a problem since their children married each other in 2025.

“Now I can get all the pictures I want,” Lawrence said with a smile. “Because we’re in-laws.”

Arsenio Hall, Murphy’s longtime collaborator on Coming to America, spoke about Murphy advocating for him in the film and highlighted the depth of his talent.

“When Eddie does a family film, he plays a whole damn family,” Hall said.

Chappelle reflected on studying Murphy’s stand-up as a teenager watching Raw. He described Murphy as one of the defining figures in the industry and shared a recent visit to his home, where seeing Murphy’s grandchildren playing offered a deeper perspective on his life.

“I would watch him every day after school like I was taking a class,” said Chappelle, who also spoke on an interview where he considered revisiting Chappelle’s Show, a project he once stepped away from, calling it one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.

Chappelle said Murphy encouraged him to revisit the idea, and even joked about joining the project if it comes to fruition.

“You are still the hero I want to be,” he said.

Stevie Wonder described Murphy’s impact as something that extends beyond comedy. He showed his deep admiration for the comedian-actor.

“Laughter can make life livable,” Wonder said. “Eddie is more than a comedian … he is a universal reminder.”

Mike Myers, who co-starred in the Shrek films with Murphy, credited him with helping define one of animation’s most beloved characters, calling his character portrayal of Donkey a “masterpiece.”

Jennifer Hudson delivered a musical tribute with performances from Dreamgirls, backed by a house band led by Rickey Minor.

The gala, which raised more than $2.5 million to support AFI’s nonprofit education programs, also included the presentation of the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal to cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who spoke about finding her voice through the institute.

Murphy’s career has spanned nearly 50 years, from stand-up stages to blockbuster films, with a versatility that has kept him relevant across generations. In 2023, he received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes and has spoken about embracing a deeper appreciation for his journey.

“Thank you for giving me this night that I will remember forever and ever and ever,” Murphy said. “I love you.”

Ella Langley achieves her first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart as her sophomore studio set Dandelion debuts atop the list dated April 25. The effort launches with 169,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending April 16, according to Luminate. That marks the largest week for a country album by a woman in two years, and the biggest week of 2026 for any woman.

Dandelion was preceded by the smash crossover hit “Choosin’ Texas,” which has spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, six weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and three weeks at No. 1 on Country Airplay.

With Dandelion’s No. 1 Billboard 200 debut following the No. 1 bow of Megan Moroney’s Cloud 9 on the March 7-dated chart, there have been two No. 1 country albums by two different solo women in a calendar year for the first time in more than a decade. It last happened in 2012, when Taylor Swift’s Red and Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away both reigned. (Honorable mention to 2021, which saw two country No. 1s, but by the same artist, with Swift’s Fearless [Taylor’s Version] and Red [Taylor’s Version].)

Also notable, Dandelion and Cloud 9 are both the first No. 1s for Langley and Moroney. The chart last saw a pair of first No. 1s that were country albums by solo women in the same year nearly 20 years ago. In 2007, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood both got their first No. 1s, with Reba Duets and Carnival Ride, respectively.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 2,500 ad-supported or 1,000 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new April 25, 2026-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on April 21. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X and Instagram.

Of Dandelion’s 169,000 equivalent album units earned in the latest tracking week, SEA units comprise 128,000 (equaling 130.46 million on-demand official streams of the set’s tracks, Langley’s best streaming week; it debuts at No. 1 on Top Streaming Albums), album sales comprise 39,000 (her best sales week; it debuts at No. 1 on Top Album Sales) and TEA units comprise the remaining sum.

Dandelion claims the largest week for a country album by a woman in two years, and the biggest week of 2026 for any woman. The set also scores the largest streaming week for an album by a woman in 2026, and the biggest streaming week for a country album by a woman in two years. Among country albums by women, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tallied the last larger week by units (407,000 in its debut week; April 13, 2024, chart) and streams (136.08 million in its second week; April 20, 2024, chart).

Country albums are defined as those that are eligible for, or have charted on, Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

Dandelion is Langley’s first top 10 on the Billboard 200, and her second chart entry, following her Hungover debut. That set arrived on the chart in August 2024 but didn’t hit the top 40 until this January and peaked at No. 20 a week ago (April 18 chart), in its 80th week on the list.

Dandelion was issued as a standard album at streaming services and at retail as a digital download, CD and vinyl (in two variants, one signed).

Morgan Wallen’s former No. 1 I’m the Problem holds at No. 2 on the latest Billboard 200, with 83,000 equivalent album units earned (up 4%). In turn, country albums are Nos. 1 and 2 for the second time in 2026, following the Jan. 24-dated list, when Zach Bryan’s With Heaven on Top debuted at No. 1 and I’m the Problem fell 1-2. Before that, it last happened on the Feb. 17, 2024-dated chart, when Toby Keith’s 35 Biggest Hits re-entered the chart at No. 1 following his death and Wallen’s One Thing at a Time fell to No. 2.

Back on the latest Billboard 200, BTS’ ARIRANG slips 1-3 in its fourth week on the list, earning 78,000 equivalent album units (down 37%). The set spent it first three weeks atop the chart. Don Toliver’s chart-topping OCTANE is a non-mover at No. 4 (48,000, down 15%), Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving is steady at No. 5 (nearly 48,000, down 5%), and Bad Bunny’s former leader DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS rises 7-6 (44,000, down 3%).

Justin Bieber’s SWAG zooms 55-7 following his headlining performance during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The set surges with 43,000 equivalent album units earned, a gain of 160% compared to the previous week. The increase was largely owed to streaming activity, as SWAG’s songs generated 42,000 SEA units (up 158%), equaling 41.48 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs — across both its SWAG and deluxe SWAG II reissue that contained additional songs. (All versions of the album are combined for tracking and charting.)

Bieber headlined the second night of both weekends of the festival, taking the stage on April 11 and 18, which was also livestreamed on Coachella’s YouTube channel.

Luke Combs’ The Way I Am falls 6-8 on the Billboard 200 with 42,000 equivalent album units earned (down 9%) and Wallen’s One Thing at a Time rises 9-8 with 40,000 units (up 5%).

Sabrina Carpenter’s former No. 1 Man’s Best Friend jumps back into the top 10, climbing 18-10, following her headlining turn at Coachella. She reigned over the first night of both weekends, on April 10 and 17. Man’s Best Friend flies up the list with 40,000 equivalent album units earned, up 44%. Like SWAG, Man’s Best Friend mostly gained from streaming increases — it earned 34,000 SEA units (up 60%), equaling 34.39 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs. Carpenter’s set was also streamed live on Coachella’s YouTube channel.

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

Cardi B nearly canceled her Atlanta concert over claims that venue staff disrespected her team.

In the hours leading up to her second Little Miss Drama Tour show at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on Saturday (April 18), the 33-year-old rap star went live on Instagram, showing a heated argument with what appeared to be venue staff over their alleged treatment of members of her team.

“Your f—king employees are being disrespectful … I’m not performing today,” Cardi is heard yelling in the clip, demanding to speak with management.

“We got in here, your employees are being f—king rude for no reason, being rude for no reason,” she continued. “I feel a certain type of way, because you being disrespectful. I did 35 shows, and I never had a problem, and we’ve been kind to everybody.”

Despite the confrontation, Cardi ultimately performed at State Farm Arena for the final night of her Little Miss Drama Tour, which marked her first headlining arena run.

In a follow-up post on X after Saturday’s concert, Cardi wrote, “When you hold power and authority, use it with kindness and respect. Never abuse it… because not everyone will endure your arrogance in silence. Treat others exactly like you demand to be treated. Atlanta… I’ll see you soon.”

Billboard has reached out to State Farm Arena and Cardi’s representatives for further comment.

The Grammy-winning rapper’s 30-plus-date tour supported her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, which topped the Billboard 200 in September 2025.

The Little Miss Drama Tour launched in Palm Desert, California, on Feb. 11 and has featured a range of special guests, including Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, Kehlani, Lil’ Kim, Fetty Wap, GloRilla and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.