Day two of 2025 All Things Go NYC (Sept. 27) boasted what was arguably the most stacked lineup of the three-day event. Though she graced the Forest Hills Stadium stage in Queens early in the afternoon, Alemeda left quite the impression on the crowd. An Ethiopian-American musician whose work combines alternative, indie rock and pop, Alemeda is also the youngest act signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), the indie record label that brought the world Kendrick Lamar and currently houses Grammy-winning superstars like SZA and Doechii.

In 2024, TDE announced Alemeda as their newest signee, in collaboration with Warner Records. Her debut EP, FK IT, arrived the same day. This year, Alemeda has unleashed a pair of singles, the Rachel Chinouriri-assisted “Chameleon” and “1-800-F**K-YOU,” for which she’s currently prepping an Office-themed music video. As she’s been hitting the festival circuit this year, Alemeda’s also been teasing another single — and it’s a collaboration with Doechii.

“[It’s coming] in a week or two,” she revealed to Billboard backstage after her set. “It’s called ‘Beat a B—h Up,’ and it’s a pop-punk song that’s four years old. I re-recorded and re-produced it with my favorite producer, Stint, and we kept everything as is. Doechii gave me hella notes to enhance the song, and she took it to the next level. I sent the song to her right away because I knew I wanted a female rapper on it, and she just got signed [to TDE], and I was still in my artist development phase.”

This year, Billboard honored TDE CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith with the executive of the year award at the 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event. With true cultural juggernauts on its roster, TDE boasts a storied legacy that Alemeda seeks to leave her mark on. “TDE likes to take their time and make sure everything is packaged nicely,” she says. “I took a good three years to figure out what my sound is and perfect my performing. They didn’t just throw me on big stages like they could have. They don’t really force me to do anything, they say, ‘Here are the resources, go figure it out!’”

With a new project due later this year before her Dec. 13 birthday, as well as a few more live shows, Alemeda’s mid-twenties are driving the creative process.

“It’s a critical time,” she muses. “I’m at a time where I’m having all my f–k-ups and I’m trying to change, so my brain development is inspiring me.”

There are countless bands playing gigs every day over on the west coast, but very few can say that they were joined on stage by a superstar like Lana Del Rey for a surprise duet.

Fastest Kids in School, as it happens, is one of those bands. During an outdoor gig in Santa Barbara, Calif., the local musicians were stunned when Del Rey asked to sing with them on stage after hearing them play “West Coast” from her album Ultraviolence. In a video shared on Instagram by the rock group, the alt-pop star looks casual in a light jacket and jeans as she sings the track’s chorus, sharing a microphone with guitarist Magic Jordan.

“Super honored @honeymoon joined us on stage at Institution today!” Fastest Kids wrote in the caption. “Truly a show we’ll never forget!”

Drummer Dan Grimes also shared what led up to Del Rey entering the scene. “A moment I will never forget,” he wrote on Instagram. “I still can’t believe that just happened. Thank you Lana!!! She just happened to be walking by while we were playing her song and motioned to see if we wouldn’t mind if she came on stage,” he continued in the comments. “Of course we obliged and that is when my head exploded. She was just ‘out getting some ice cream’ she said.”

The impromptu performance comes more than a decade after Ultraviolence dropped in 2014, marking Del Rey’s first-ever No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 when it debuted in the top spot. “West Coast” peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The singer is now working on her much-delayed country album, which she revealed in August will now be titled Stove after previously saying it would be named Lasso and The Right Person Will Stay. Also over the weekend, Del Rey celebrated her first wedding anniversary with husband Jeremy Dufrene by sharing photos from their Sept. 26, 2024, Louisiana ceremony on Instagram.

The Mariah Carey Universe runs on a different wavelength than the one here on Earth. For one, as any in the Lambily knows, time does not exist for MC, who once claimed “I don’t know her” about singer/actress Jennifer Lopez, later clarifying that she simply is not acquainted with Lopez, not that she doesn’t know of her existence… maybe.

But when Carey dropped by Jack Coyne’s popular Track Star podcast this week to test her name-that-tune knowledge, the singer was put to the test by having to really focus on songs by other artists at a time when she, admittedly, has been much more keyed in promoting her just-released 16th studio album, Here For It All.

The game is pretty simple: host Coyne plays the guest a song and they try to name the artist, and if they are really music nerds, the song as well. Coyne gave Mariah a lay-up to begin, playing Janet Jackson’s “If,” which Mariah immediately picked out as a Ms. Jackson classic, saying “we love Janet. Who doesn’t love Janet?”

It took just a few notes for MC to spot Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much,” saying it was too easy to pick up on the instantly iconic voice of her 1994 duet partner on a cover of the Lionel Richie-penned “Endless Love.” Carey said she was a “huge fan” of the late R&B crooner. “Luther was a huge and still is a huge inspiration to me,” Carey said. “His voice, the quality of his voice, the way that he presented himself in every way… ‘Never Too Much’ is my favorite.”

She also easily nailed Marvin Gaye as the singer of “Got To Give You Up,” explaining to Coyne that her musical aptitude began at home listening to her mother, an opera singer, singing around the house. And while she had no stumbles identifying 2Pac’s “Keep Ya Head Up,” Mariah said her favorite ‘Pac song is actually the late rapper’s 1993 Billboard Hot 100 No. 12 hit “I Ain’t Mad At Cha.”

Coyne tried to trip Mariah up with some rock, though she tagged Fleetwood Mac’s “Gypsy” instantly and let Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” run a bit just so she could hear the iconic “aye-aye-aye-aye,” telling Coyne that when she was growing up she’d crank Ozzy once in a while.

She was 6-for-6 thanks to DeBarge’s “I Like It” and kept it perfect with “Is This the End” by New Edition and The Clark Sisters’ “You Brought the Sunshine,” instantly recognizing the Detroit gospel group that she duets with on “Jesus I Do” from the new album.

Carey also ripped off songs by Donell Jones (“U Know What’s Up”), Brandy (“Angel in Disguise”) and, of course, her own “Play This Song” with Anderson .Paak from the new album, running the table to a 10-for-10 score.

Watch Carey on Track Star below.

Young Thug surprised fans with a free performance in front of Atlanta’s Fulton County Courthouse on Sunday (Sept. 28), where he was on trial in the YSL RICO case earlier in the decade.

Thugger invited fans to show up around 4 p.m. ET, and he hit the courthouse steps shortly after 5 p.m. ET. He ran through his array of hits, including “Digits” and “Ski,” while also mixing in some new UY SCUTI tracks such as “Whaddup Jesus,” which features Thug’s former rival YFN Lucci.

“This place shaped me — changed my life… Shout-out to the whole police academy for letting me perform here,” he said. “This is not the place to be on the bad side, life is much more than this. That’s why I wanted to do it here. This isn’t a flex… This place changed my life forever.”

Thug continued: “We got rid of our problems and I hope you find a way to get rid of yours. Life is precious, so I just want everybody to be better. Even if it’s worth something, it’s not worth losing people. It’s not worth living that type of life.”

The YSL leader also preached a message to stop the violence in his hometown. “Stop the violence in this city, man,” he said.

It’s unclear if the performance was on Thug’s volition or part of his probation conditions. Thug was arrested as part of the YSL RICO trial in May 2022. He was part of the longest-running trial in Georgia ever, and finally reached a plea deal in late October 2024.

Thug pleaded guilty conspiring to violate the state’s RICO Act and one count of participating in criminal street gang activity, along with various drug and gun charges. He was sentenced to 15 years of probation. If Thug does violate the terms of his probation, he faces 20 years in prison.

Young Thug released his first album since being released from jail on Friday (Sept. 26) with UY SCUTI featuring 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Cardi B, Lil Baby, Ken Carson, Mariah the Scientist, Sexyy Red, Future and Quavo.

This week, triple threat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Karley Scott Collins makes a solid introduction on her debut project Flight Risk. Elsewhere, Cole Swindell calls for faith and unity on his new song “Make Heaven Crowded,” while Avery Anna reimagines a Joan Baez classic, and Shaboozey teams with Kevin Powers on a new track.

Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.

Karley Scott Collins, Flight Risk

Collins just released her 16-song debut album Flight Risk and in the process has positioned herself as a top new worthy contender for fans’ attention. Throughout the album, she offers up her singular brand of country, bolstered with plenty of rock and soulful influences. The set finds her playing guitar, bass, violin and banjo, while singing songs that feel both raw with emotion yet refined in delivery. “Quit You” looks at addictions both literal and emotional, while “Heavy Metal” delves into the heartache of an enduring yet unsatisfying marriage.

“Girlfriend” is fueled by blistering angst from unrequited love and “Only Child” is a heart-tearing song about the highs and lonely lows of growing up as an only child. “I Used to Love Him” is a somber, moody track reflecting emotional maturity, capturing the painful realization that a passionate romance doesn’t make two people right for each other. This feels like a debut that makes a powerful, defining statement about Colins’s artistry and vision. Well worth repeated listens.

Cole Swindell, “Make Heaven Crowded”

Swindell is as known for Saturday night party anthems as he is for heart-tugging songs such as “3 Feet Tall” and “You Should Be Here.” His latest is perhaps one of his most faith-based songs to date and the warm sincerity in his vocal is a perfect fit. Written by Swindell, Joel Hutsell, Greylan James and Blake Pendergrass, “Make Heaven Crowded” was inspired by a speech given by Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, in the wake of Kirk’s passing earlier this month. But ultimately, the song is a tenderly-rendered plea for unity as well as compassion and generosity toward others, no matter their political persuasion, on lines such as “[If] we all quit throwin’ punches and held out a helping hand.”

Kevin Powers and Shaboozey, “Move On”

This fiddle-laced, jangly country number from Powers and Shaboozey captures them wrestling with just how swiftly an ex-lover was able to cast aside a relationship’s memory. Swaths of pedal steel and a relentless percussion give the song drive and energy, while their voices have a seamless chemistry. Powers is the first artist signed to Shaboozey’s American Dogwood label.

Avery Anna, “Girl of Constant Sorrow”

Avery Anna’s songwriting prowess and soothing voice have made her a fan favorite thanks to songs such as “Breakup Over Breakfast” and the Sam Barber collaboration “Indigo.” But here, she gives one of her most captivating vocal performances to date, on a reimagined version of Joan Baez’s classic. “Some folks they think that I’m an angel/ But I’ve got holes inside my wings,” she sings. Understated guitar lets her honey-sweet vocal stay at the song’s center, as she sings of returning to Arizona to find a place of respite from the world’s troubles.

Benjamin Tod (feat. Shooter Jennings), “Outlaw Shit”

Benjamin Tod and Shooter Jennings team up for a re-envisioned version of Waylon Jennings’s posthumously-released 2008 song “Outlaw Shit,” which itself was a slowed down, more mournful retelling of Jennings’ 1978 song “Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out of Hand.” Over a mashup of fiddles and guitars, Tod and Jennings blend their rough-hewn voices on a song about consequences for older vices and choices, pondering when the consequences of those actions outweigh the vices themselves. Jennings and Tod do an exemplary job of bringing this classic to a new generation, while showing utmost respect for the original.

Ty Myers, “Come On Over, Baby”

Myers continues his bluesy-country musical style on this flirty, come-hither track. On this solo write, he sets the stage for a romantic evening on lines such as “So come on over to my place/ I need love in a bad way.” Bolstered by horns, passionate guitar work from Brandon Hood, Tom Bukovac and Kris Donegan, as well as twinkling piano, this song sizzles with a sultry energy, while also showcasing Myers’s continually maturing sense of songcraft.