Beyoncé is standing beside Kamala Harris leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5.

The 32-time Grammy winner took the stage alongside her Destiny’s Child bandmate and childhood friend Kelly Rowland at the Democratic presidential nominee’s rally in their hometown of Houston, Texas, on Friday night (Oct. 25), where they endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket and urged their fellow Texans to do the same.

“H-Town!” Beyoncé said to rapturous cheers when she took the mic. “We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud, country, Texas women supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris. A woman who’s been pushing for what this country really needs right now: unity. It’s impossible not to feel the energy in this room, the positivity, the community, the humanity. We are at the precipice of an incredible shift. The brink of history.

“I’m not here as a celebrity,” she added. “I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares, deeply, about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. A world where we’re not divided. Our past, our present, our future merge to meet us here.”

Bey spoke to “all the men and women in this room, and watching around the country,” telling them: “We need you. Your voice has power and magnitude. Your vote is one of the most valuable tools, and we need you. Your freedom is your god-given right, your human right. Everybody say Texas! Texas plays a pivotal role to change the course of our future.”

The superstar then leaned into her music roots to wrap her speech, saying, “It’s time to sing a new song. A song that began 248 years ago. The old notes of downfall, discord, despair no longer resonate. Our generations of loved ones before us are whispering a prophecy, a quest, a calling, an anthem. Our moment is right now. It’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a song of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? Because I am. So let’s do this. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a big, loud Texas welcome to the next president of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris.”

In addition to Rowland and Beyoncé, Willie Nelson performed at the Houston rally and Harris ended the night with a speech.

Though Bey hadn’t previously vocalized support for Harris amid the 2024 election cycle, her presence has been strong in the VP’s campaign over the past few months. In August, the superstar was heavily rumored to appear at the Democratic National Convention, but never showed up. Her 2016 track “Freedom” has also been a mainstay in Harris’ campaign, becoming the Democratic nominee’s walkout song in July. CNN confirmed that month that Bey had given direct approval for the song’s use.

She has previously supported other Democratic political causes, including performing with Jay-Z at a Hillary Clinton musical rally in Cleveland in 2016 ahead of that year’s presidential election. In 2020, Bey supported Joe Biden’s campaign and later celebrated his victory on Instagram. Additionally, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer performed at both of Barack Obama’s inaugurations in 2009 and 2013.

Watch Beyonce’s full speech below:

.@Beyonce’s full remarks in support of Vice President Harris pic.twitter.com/CPCaFKkO9o

— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 26, 2024

Three members of San Diego metalcore band As I Lay Dying have abruptly exited the band, citing clashes with personal morals amid the band’s turbulent history.

Guitarist Ken Susi, bassist Ryan Neff, and drummer Nick Pierce shared statements this week detailing their reasons for his departure, leaving just controversial frontman Tim Lambesis and guitarist Phil Sgrosso in the lineup.

In a statement posted on social media on Oct. 24, Susi explained that his morals had been “tested to a breaking point.”

“My time playing with As I Lay Dying has come to an end today. I leave with so much gratitude for everyone who followed and supported me from my days in Unearth to this era of my career,” Susi wrote. “I jumped into the AILD camp with full knowledge of the heightened dramatic history but had a drive to just play great music with great friends.”

He added, “Unfortunately, my personal morals have recently been tested to a breaking point, and it’s not the saddest ending to what could have been the greatest second chance for this band.”

This follows a post by bassist Ryan Neff, who left on Oct. 18, calling it “the right step for my personal and professional journey.”

Susi had noted in his announcement that Neff had received “a lot of backlash for stepping down first.” He added, “I regret not sharing this decision sooner and standing confidently with my friend — he’s a flawless musician and an even better person. I’ll miss you all on this stage, and I look forward to seeing you on the next one. Anyone looking for a guitar player? My resume is ready.”

Neff reflected in his own statement, “As of today, I have made the decision to leave As I Lay Dying,” Neff wrote via Instagram. “This choice comes after much reflection, and I believe it is the right step for my personal and professional journey. I am grateful for the experiences and connections I’ve made during my time with the band. Thank you to all the fans for your support.”

Drummer Nick Pierce joined them in departing, also citing personal reasons in his own statement. “As of now, I am no longer playing drums for As I Lay Dying,” Pierce wrote. “This is far from being the ending I anticipated, and I feel I need to distance myself from the band in an effort to retain my personal health and integrity.”

It follows the band’s touring manager, Alex Kendrick, also announcing his departure from working with the group.

In a now-deleted tweet, Kendrick wrote: “I no longer work for AS I LAY DYING – I do not wish to be asked questions nor will I answer any. I’ve made life long memories that will never be forgotten but my chapter of the book has completed. I wish everyone the best of luck and clearly I’m still rocking with Phil out here.”

Founded in 2000, As I Lay Dying rose to prominence as a Grammy-nominated act but became embroiled in controversy in 2013 when Lambesis was arrested and later sentenced to prison for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his then-wife, Meggan Lambesis. Lambesis pleaded guilty in the case and served two years of a six-year sentence.

After his release in 2016, the band reunited in 2018 with a mix of original and new members. However, tensions lingered. Former guitarist Nick Hippa, along with drummer Jordan Mancino and bassist Josh Gilbert, previously left in 2020. Since then, Susi, Pierce, and Neff joined the lineup, only to now announce their exits.

At the time of writing, Lambesis has not addressed the departures, and the future of As I Lay Dying remains uncertain. Their eighth album, Through Storms Ahead, is still set for release on Nov. 15.

Summer Walker released her new single “Heart of a Woman” on Friday (Oct. 25) via LVRN and Interscope Records.

“Heart of a Woman” is the lead single from her upcoming third studio album Finally Over It. The new LP follows the theme of Walker’s 2021 sophomore album, Still Over It, and 2019 debut album, Over It. Both releases topped Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and Still Over It also topped the Billboard 200.

In an album teaser video she posted on Instagram earlier this month, the Atlanta-born R&B hitmaker is seen at home hopping out of the shower and into a hot pink robe. With a drink in tow, she listens to voicemail messages left on her answering machine. “Damn, you gotta do me like that? I was just helping my cousin with groceries. Hit me back when you can talk. I know you’re finally over it, but damn, let’s talk about it, I love you,” the messages go. Walker shatters the glass in her hand. The caption reads, “Finally Over It. Call me before I change my number 404-476-6404.” She then released the audio from the teaser video, titled “+1(404) 476-6404,” on DSPs.

Walker dropped an EP last year, Clear 2: Soft Life, which featured two collaborations with J. Cole (“To Summer, From Cole – Audio Hug”) and Childish Gambino (“New Type”). The nine-song set reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and No. 7 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Listen to Summer Walker’s new “Heart of a Woman” single below.