On the one-year anniversary of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that broke out on Jan. 7, 2025, MusiCares announced it has disbursed more than $15 million in aid to over 3,200 music professionals and other victims.

MusiCares, the philanthropic arm of the Recording Academy, distributed $7 million immediately following the fires, with the remaining $8 million handed out as part of ongoing recovery efforts, according to the organization.

In the wake of the wildfires, The Recording Academy immediately turned both the 2025 Grammy telecast and its annual MusiCares Persons of the Year event (which honored the Grateful Dead) into fundraisers to raise money for immediate needs and ongoing recovery. Rebuilding has been a slow process, with local news stations reporting that out of the 6,000 houses destroyed in Altadena’s Eaton Fire alone, there are only 500 new houses under construction, and only a handful of families have been able to move back.

MusiCares funds have gone to helping rebuild not just homes but recording studios, and to purchase instruments that were destroyed. Additionally, money has gone to financial assistance and health and wellness support.

“Recovery does not happen on a fixed schedule,” said Theresa Wolters, executive director of MusiCares, in a statement. “We continue to hear from people who have been in survival mode for nearly a year, rebuilding homes, juggling displacement, trying to keep working, and only now able to focus on their own health and stability. That delayed need is a very real part of disaster recovery.”

More recently, MusiCares received $1 million from Google’s philanthropic arm and YouTube to continue its outreach, including a portion that will go toward developing multi-lingual content to reach underserved communities affected by the fires.

“Even a year later, we want people to know they are not alone and it is not too late to ask for help,” Wolters said. “Recovery looks different for everyone, and our role is to meet music professionals wherever they are in that journey.”

While no money raised through the Recording Academy’s upcoming Grammy activities later this month is specifically earmarked for L.A. fire relief, money raised for MusiCares will be put into a general fund that will include ongoing fire relief efforts.

Music professionals who need assistance following the wildfires can contact MusiCares through musicares.org/lafirerelief.

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.

While Jessica Simpson is best known for her music, with releases made as late as 2025 with two EPs, Nashville Canyon, Part 1 on March 21st and Nashville Canyon, Part 2 on September 5th, she’s also well known for her work in the fashion landscape.

Namely, her Walmart collection, which boasts a boho meets “city girl” aesthetic that Simpson has owned in her personal wardrobe over the years. These pieces from the musician’s namesake line are sure to bring interest to your wardrobe, especially when fighting off those winter blues we’re all currently experiencing.

In short, a little color and sparkle never hurt anybody, and Simpson’s collection is chock-full of wearable and inventive pieces we’re adding to our wishlist. We’re talking bottoms, tops, footwear and accessories with tons of personality that you can wear to the office, casually for a quick run to the supermarket or to grab matcha with friends. The best part? All of these pieces are exceedingly affordable, proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look your best.

Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorites for the winter/spring season, that awkward in-between that stumps most fashionable folk. Some of ShopBillboard’s favorites include the Rosa Studded Relaxed Jeans for $44 in black, a flared moment with studding throughout that offers a grungy finish. Another fun but wearable piece is the Plaid Platform Cozy Clog Slipper, currently marked down for $11.99. These fuzzy pink and brown babies come equipped with a gingham-inspired print and a platform sole that can elongate your silhouette, which is especially great for our vertically challenged readers. The Mikaela Pointelle Hoodie Sweater is also a hit, retailing for $29.50. The cropped style is lightweight and cropped, giving it a stylish flair, while the hooded element and long sleeves offer extra warmth.

You’ll find some of our favorites from Jessica Simpson’s Walmart collection to shop below.

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.

There is no greater pressure than getting the perfect gift for that special someone in your life on Valentine’s Day.

While the holiday celebrating all things love and commitment is still a little ways away, it’s important to strike while the iron is hot, as they say, and prepare ahead of time so you can make the best shopping decisions without stress or worry. We’re hoping that with help from this list, you’ll be able to pick up something special for your girlfriend with ease. No stress, no fuss, just good old-fashioned gift-giving from the heart.

ShopBillboard has compiled a hefty 25 picks ranging from couple-friendly tech to thoughtful subscription services and cozy clothes that will get you and your girlfriend in the mood for some lovin’. We’ve segmented this list for ease, allowing you to shop by category so you can find what you’re looking for in a breeze. While you’re here, why not shop even more gifts for girlfriends in our non-Valentine’s Day-themed round-up here?

Tech Products

Capturing every moment on your phone is convenient, but it often falls short if you want a photo with depth and a story. If you’re looking to feed your girlfriend’s picture-taking hobby or hoping to start her on a new one, gifting this Kodak PIXPRO C1 BLACK Digital Camera could be a great option. Retailing for $99 at Walmart, this digital camera comes in a sleek black hue and comes with a 26mm Fixed Focus Lens for ease of use and microSD and microSDHC card compatibility up to 32GB. This camera also takes videos if your girl wants to get into vlogging every moment.

For the music-lover in your life, we’d suggest gifting these Beats by Dr. Dre Solo Buds in this on-theme red hue with futuristic transparent detailing. The buds retail for $79.95 at Walmart and come nestled into a slim and compact package that can easily be stored in a pocket or chucked into a purse. The buds are wireless and sit in the ear, fitted with squishy tips that ergonomically fit inside the ear canal without irritation. These buds produce a fully custom acoustic architecture for an enhanced listening experience tailored to the listener. If all that wasn’t enough, they also boast an 18-hour battery life.

If your loved one adores taking photos but hates waiting for your pics to be developed, this Kodak Step Instant SmartPhone Photo Printer makes getting photos into your hands a breeze. Retailing for $79.99 on Amazon, the printer connects to your phone, either Android or IOS, via Bluetooth and instantly prints out your precious moments from selfies to group shots with friends or your lover. The printed photos are sticky-backed and can be adhered on any surface.

This one’s for our readers facing the trials and tribulations of long-distance relationships. Bond Touch 4 is a bracelet for couples that allows said couples to communicate with one another, no matter how far. The personal jewelry retails for $178 for two and comes in black or an off-white hue with stylish gold accents.

One gentle tap to the face of your Bond Touch 4 and your partner’s bracelet will light up and buzz at the same time in the same pattern. These bracelets feature a 96-hour battery life and are water-resistant. Beyond being absolutely heart-melting in concept, these Bond pieces are also super stylish, comparable to an Apple Watch.

Got a cinephile on your hands, but not the money to fund her film addiction? Have yourself a movie night at home with this Yaber T1 Pro2 Mini Projector. The portable product retails for $181.40 and features a built-in Smart TV operating system, offering Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube viewing, among other platforms. You’ll get crystal-clear pictures on any surface thanks to a 180-degree adjustable stand that allows you to project on walls, ceilings, or sloped surfaces for a unique viewing experience every time.

Speakers can be bulky and a little jarring to look at sometimes. They’re not always stylish, and they don’t always pack up nicely and neatly for you to take on the go. Enter Marshall’s WILLEN II Speaker, currently retailing for $99.99, down from $129.99. The mini speaker is cream-colored and comes in a tiny package but brings major space-filling sound. The speaker is jam-packed with hours of portable playtime, 17-plus to be exact, on a single charge. Like most of Marshall’s products, this speaker is dust and waterproof and comes with a nifty fastening strap, allowing users to fix the speaker to an object or let it hang.

Flowers

Why get your significant other real flowers for Valentine’s Day when they’ll just die on them in a few weeks? This Lego Bouquet is sure to last you a lifetime, no water needed, for just $48.49. The bouquet comes with a slew of unique flowers that you can build and store in a vase or on a shelf. Build with your loved one or let them try it out on their own for a post-holiday crafting night.

If you do happen to want real flowers for your loved one, The Bouqs offers a monthly floral subscription service, gifting your significant other fresh flowers to their door every month, up to every week if you’d like. We’d suggest the Deluxe subscription for $59 a month, which delivers 20 to 32 stems in a blossoming bouquet tailored to your specifications

Beauty

Give your girlfriend a spa day with this two-pack of exfoliating body bars hailing from Soft Services. These bars retail for $30 at Sephora and are scented like vanilla, coconut, citrus and espresso, luxe notes that make you feel like you’re sipping a cozy drink at your favorite coffee shop. The product is formulated with gentle exfoliating granules that work dead skin away, leaving you feeling smooth and moisturized.

Fancy haircare experiences at a salon are nice and all, but what if you could bring that experience to your home? This Paul Mitchell hair dryer offers a luxury experience without shelling out hundreds. For just $165, this pretty pink dryer defines curls and targets sections of hair thanks to two accompanying detachable heads that allow users to create tons of styles with ease. The dryer is powerful at 1500 watts with a digital brushless motor and high-velocity airflow for fast and precise drying every time.

In the same vein, this Manicure Set from Ulta Beauty is like gifting a spa day for a fraction of the price. The $8.40 kit comes with seven pieces for trimming and defining nails, all nestled in a clear and compact case that you can easily take with you on the go.

Fashion

After a long day, there’s really nothing better than cozying up in a plush robe like this one from Hommey. The $129 piece is made of cozy and breathable 100% cotton terry toweling and is thoughtfully designed with a classic shawl collar, functional pockets to store all your essentials and an adjustable, removable waist tie. A subtle loop attached to the collar allows users to hang the robe on a hook. This robe is also equipped with a stylish, sweet pink and burgundy striped pattern.

Damson Madder has quickly become one of ShopBillboard’s favorite brands. The U.K.-based label crafts whimsical accessories and clothing in dreamy colorways and prints equipped with thoughtful details that set the brand apart from anything we’ve seen on the market. This decorative scrunchie is just one of many hair accessories that the brand has to beautify your girlfriend’s hair when they see fit, worn with ponytails and tight, slicked-back buns.

Similarly adorable, Damson’s Antonella Gingham Organic Cotton Pajamas for $155 is surely one of the most stylish PJ sets out there. This one’s for the fashionable girlfriend with impeccable taste looking to lounge and doze in style. The cotton set is breathable and comfortable with an oversized fit and a playful gingham pattern. Dainty bow accents on both the top and bottom give way to ruffled detailing in pink, contrasting the red gingham.

With winter’s oppressive chill still in full swing, we’d suggest gifting your significant other these ultra-cozy slippers from L.L. Bean. The $99.95 pair comes in a tan suede with faux-fur trim around the ankles. The soles are non-slip, while the interior is plush and comfortable on the soles. This is a quintessential house slipper if we’ve ever seen one. They’re perfect for lounging around for a cozy Valentine’s Day indoors, warmed by the fire.

Fuzzy Companions

Jellycats never fail to impress. The adorable plushie brand comes out with winners every year that please both young and old fans. This Bashful Beige Bunny is no exception, what with its floppy ears and ultra-soft composition. The $39 plushie companion is perfect for the collector in your life looking to add some whimsy to their humdrum decor, placed on a bed or displayed with their other Jellycat acquisitions.

The blind box trend swept the nation, going global with its popularity thanks in part to music artists such as BLACKPINK’s Lisa. If you haven’t yet gotten your hands on the coveted Labubu, you can gift your girlfriend a keychain version that can be attached to your keys or bag for just $22.99 on Amazon. With your purchase, you’ll receive a mystery box featuring one of 14 total possible Labubus that you can pull, all in unique colors.

Home Goods

For the significant other who loves to entertain, this four-piece coupe glass set from Anthropologie should win you lots of points. This colorful set retails for $54. Each glass is colorful and equipped with a wide base that transitions into an equally wide cup.

You probably already know that Owala is exceedingly popular, what with its virality on apps such as TikTok. What makes this Owala even more desirable is its vampy and dramatic cherry red hue that has become exceedingly popular since its launch in 2025. This insulated tumbler currently retails for $44.99 on Amazon and is made to insulate 40 oz beverages both hot and cold, keeping them at your desired temp for hours. For ease of use, you’ve also got a built-in straw and a side handle. The lid of the tumble locks in place, making it leak-proof. 

Another extremely popular home goods brand is Le Creuset. The brand’s wares, from deep dutch ovens to pans, simply fly off the shelves, and this cast-iron heart-shaped style is sure to follow. Retailing for $175 at Nordstrom, this on-theme gift comes in red and, as mentioned, is enameled cast iron.

This detail ensures excellent heat distribution for uniform browning and even cooking with no hot spots, and provides superior heat retention. Even the branded handle in gold is shaped like a heart. If your girlfriend is into cooking and baking and wants her style and personality to come through in her cookware, then this should do the trick.

Smeg is another popular cookware brand with a ton of products under its proverbial umbrella. Our pick? The brand’s retro-inspired electric water kettle is currently retailing for $229.95 on Amazon. The kettle comes in a slew of colors, although the seafoam green hue is our favorite, accompanied by silver hardware and Smeg branding on the front.

This kettle gets you 1.8 quarts of hot water in about two to three minutes, cutting down the time it takes to enjoy tea, hot chocolate and everything in between. The kettle also includes auto-shutoff technology that stops heating once the water reaches the boiling point for safety. Kitchenware doesn’t have to be boring, and this kettle proves that.

Silk pillowcases are a dime a dozen these days, and can cost a fortune if you’re not looking in the right place. This 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase from Quince retails for just $44.90 and is said to boast a whole host of benefits. Silk pillowcases are said to be gentler on your skin, more hygienic and may help prevent any hair breakage. These pillows are also cooler temperature wise than your standard cotton pillowcases because silk promotes air circulation, helping to release body heat.

Misc.

While comfort can come in the form of new slippers or a fuzzy robe, it can also come in the form of a nifty massage gun like this one from Therabody. Retailing for $159.99, this blue Theragun offers tension relief, targeting tense spots with up to three speeds. This tool is for those who prefer a milder, soothing massage that still provides real relief on the back, shoulders and anywhere you carry tension.

BonBon became extremely popular in 2025 for its wide selection of unique Swedish candy. The only problem? The brand’s stores are only in New York, making it difficult for prospective candy fiends to try out its extensive candy line. Not to fear, though: BonBon ships boxes much like the one above for $43 and over nationwide. You’ll have the option to select a sour mix, a sweet and sour mix and even a gluten-free and gelatin-free mix of candies to ship to your loved one. You can also just buy a customized box to hand deliver to your lover.

Who doesn’t love a scented candle? Boy Smells‘ scented candles are especially easy to love because they’re long-lasting and jam-packed with scents that fill any room your candle is burned in. This rose-scented option retails for $38 and comes in a stylish pink package. The candle features notes of tangerine, leather and roses, a fresh, floral and musky mix. If rose scents aren’t your girlfriend’s thing, Boy Smells has a whole host of candles to choose from, all at affordable prices.

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. 
 
This week: The final episode of Stranger Things offers one more series of gigantic streaming bumps for both the songs and actors-turned-musicians featured, while a 2010s pop favorite enjoys a long-overdue stateside moment and another buzzy series also closes its season with a couple big music moments.

Such a Shame Our Series Had to End: ‘Stranger Things’ Finale Delivers Massive Gains for Prince, David Bowie, More ‘70s and ‘80s Classics

It’s been the single most valuable synch placement opportunity for legacy artists for most of the last decade, but at long last, Netflix’s sci-fi teen series Stranger Things has finally come to an end. The show that made 2020s chart smashes out of ‘80s cult classics by Kate Bush and Metallica returned to streaming — and for the first time, came to theaters — on New Year’s Eve 2025, to cap its blockbuster final season with one more trip into Hawkins, Indiana, the Upside Down, and various other alternate dimensions the show has come to encompass over five head-spinning seasons.

But of course, the show wasn’t going out quietly — particularly with its soundtrack. As the shows’ creators hyped up a good deal in the lead-up to the final episode, they landed a couple especially valuable synchs courtesy of the Prince estate, who licensed the use of two signature Purple One cuts from his and The Revolution’s all-timer Purple Rain LP: “When Doves Cry” and the title track. Both saw massive gains in the days following the finale’s premiere, with “Doves” amassing nearly 1.8 million official on-demand U.S. streams over the first four days of this tracking week (Jan. 2-5) — a 254% gain over the same four-day period the prior week, according to Luminate. 

Meanwhile, “Rain” has turned into an absolute streaming hurricane, whipping up nearly 4.3 million over the same period, a 648% gain. The song, which originally peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, should be in contention for a return to the Hot 100 next week — it would need to make the top 50 to be eligible — which would mark its first appearance on the chart since it reached No. 4 following Prince’s death in 2016.

Prince isn’t the only 10-years-gone legend featured in the finale: David Bowie’s much-beloved 1977 anthem “Heroes” was also included over the episode’s end credits, seeing a 198% streaming gain over the same four-day period (587,000 to over 1.7 million). And the show also called back to another timeless ballad from a ‘70s classic rock outfit in Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” which gained 61% to nearly 4 million streams over the same period. 

But it wasn’t all Rock and Roll Hall of Famers on the Stranger Things finale’s soundtrack. The show also boosted college rock favorites of the time from the Pixies (“Here Comes Your Man,” up 161% to 423,000) and Cowboy Junkies (“Sweet Jane,” up 107% to 280,000), as well as an enduring shredder from metal greats Iron Maiden (“The Trooper,” up 110% to 436,000). And that’s not even talking about the boosts received from songs by The Clash and The Police featured in previous seasons (and on streaming Stranger Things playlists), or songs by other ‘80s artists never included in the show, but still lifted by an overall Stranger-abetted surge in sentimentality over the early MTV era in pop music. 

Suffice to say, Stranger Things will be missed by its fans, but it will probably be missed even more by catalog artists and their respective publishers. — ANDREW UNTERBERGER

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Forget the Soundtrack — ‘Stranger Things’ Cast Member Joe Keery (Djo) Gets Biggest Bump of All

While the past decade of Stranger Things has had a massive impact on the catalog side of the music business, it’s made its presence felt in contemporary music as well. Cast members including Maya Hawke (Robin) and Finn Wolfhard (Mike) have launched positively received music careers following their Stranger breakouts, and have also seen their consumption spike following the show’s feverishly anticipated climax. Over the first four days of this tracking week (Jan. 2-5), Hawke’s catalog jumped 76% in official on-demand streams from the same period the week before (298,000 to 524,000), according to Luminate, while Wolfhard’s ballooned by 107% (449,000 to 929,000). (Wolfhard’s band Calpurnia also saw big gains over the same period, growing 72% to 185,000 streams.) 

But by far the biggest musical breakout act from Stranger Things has been psychedelic alt-rocker Djo — better known to fans of the show as actor Joe Keery, or his character Steve “The Hair” Harrington. And Djo has also seen easily the biggest post-finale streaming growth, with his catalog up 114% to 18.7 million streams, while also seeing a 364% gain in digital song sales (up to nearly 5,200) over the same period. 

More than half of those numbers are attributable to the song that marked Djo’s crossover breakthrough: 2022 alt-rock quasi-power ballad “End of Beginning,” which caught streaming fire in 2023 and crossed over to the Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 11 in early 2024. Thanks to the extra Stranger Things interest, the song once again exploded on streaming in the past couple weeks, even re-entering this week’s Hot 100 at No. 16, just five spots shy of its initial chart peak. 

And the song is still growing: It’s up 114% to 9.8 million streams over the first four days of this week, while also spiking 430% to 4,200 in digital song sales, making it among the most-streamed and most-sold songs of the week so far. Chances are good the song reaches the top 10 for the first time next week, and then could it climb even higher from there? As we’ll say for the 250th (but sadly likely final) time in this column: Stranger Things have happened. – AU

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Zara Larsson Zooms to Main Pop Girl Contention as ‘Midnight Sun’ & Catalog Cuts Surge on Streaming 

Zara Larsson’s been churning out pop bangers since the mid-2010s with collaborations like “Symphony” and “Never Forget You,” but 2026 looks to be the year she finally establishes herself as a top 40 force to be reckoned with. 

Last year, the Swedish pop star earned rave reviews for her opening stint on Tate McRae’s arena-conquering Miss Possessive Tour, which helped her 2025 Midnight Sun LP hit the Billboard 200 and earn a Grammy nomination for its title track (best dance pop recording). According to Luminate, “Midnight Sun” has jumped 68% in streams over the past seven weeks, and its growth isn’t slowing down. During the final week of 2025 (Dec. 26-29), the track logged 1.07 million official on-demand U.S. streams; that figured leapt 31% to 1.42 million official streams by the four-day period of Jan. 2-5, 2026. 

As “Midnight Sun” continues climbing, Zara’s momentum is also helping lift a fellow European pop star’s ascendant hit: PinkPantheress’ “Stateside.” Zara’s infectious remix dropped alongside Pink’s Fancy Some More? remix album last October, and now it’s on its way to being one of the first new pop hits of 2026. During the week of Nov. 21-27, “Stateside” earned 1.48 million official streams. Five weeks later (Dec. 26-Jan. 1), that figure exploded nearly 95% to 2.88 million streams. 

As if a rising solo hit and a fast-growing collaboration weren’t enough, Zara is also experiencing a revival for “Lush Life,” a single from her debut album that reached No. 75 on the Hot 100 nearly ten years ago. Aided by the recently wrapped European leg of her Midnight Sun Tour, where she invited several fans onstage to perform the track’s viral dance break, “Lush” has been up 84% in streaming activity over the past three weeks. Heading into the New Year (Dec. 26-Jan. 1), “Lush Life” collected 4.07 million streams. Notably, Zara and Pink linked up for their own “Lush Life” dance TikTok just two days ago. 

With the American leg of her Midnight Sun Tour kicking off next month (Feb. 28) at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom, expect Zara to continue barreling towards the zenith of Top 40. — KYLE DENIS 

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‘Heated Rivalry’ Finale Spurs Big Gains for ‘Cottage’ Soundtrack 

Heated Rivalry has proven inescapable since its November 2025 premiere, and its season one finale (Dec. 26) gave a sweet post-Christmas streaming bump to a pair of key syncs. 

Ellisa Sun’s aptly titled “Unravel” plays as Shane (Hudson Williams) anxiously drives to his parents’ house for a conversation set to change his life forever. In the week preceding the season finale, “Unravel” earned a negligible number of official on-demand U.S. streams, according to Luminate. By the end of the week following the premiere of “The Cottage,” Sun’s song ballooned an eyebrow-raising 187,539% to over 61,000 official streams. 

Cailin Russo experienced a similar bump for her own “Bad Things,” which soundtracks the final scene and end credits for the season finale. Leading up to “The Cottage” (Dec. 19-25), “Bad Things” logged under 5,000 official streams and a negligible number of digital downloads sold; once viewers arrived at Shane’s secret refuge, the song leapt 18,972% to 851,000 streams and over 1,100 digital downloads. 

Williams and co-star Connor Storrie are slated to present at Sunday’s Golden Globes (Jan. 11), just days before and after their respective late-night television debuts, so expect the Heated Rivalry buzz to keep on simmering. — K.D. 

The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.