Starsplash Music News

On Thursday night (October 16), Sam Fender was awarded the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album, People Watching. The ceremony was held in Fender’s hometown of Newcastle in the North East of England, marking the first time the awards took place outside of London. Receiving the trophy from broadcaster and DJ Sian Eleri, Fender thanked fellow nominees like CMAT and Fontaines D.C., while other shortlisted bands like Pulp, FKA Twigs, and Wolf Alice performed at the event. Fender dedicated the award to the late Annie Orwin, who inspired the album, referring to her as “like a surrogate mother to me and passed away last November. I was by her side at the end, slept on a chair next to her. It’s about what was going through my head, to and from that place and home.” Emotional and surprised by the win, he praised his hometown, calling it “the best region in the country,” before performing the title track to a standing ovation. (NME)

Janelle Monáe and the Wondaland Arts Society have returned to Los Angeles with Wondaween 2025, a month-long Halloween festival spanning cemeteries, theaters, secret venues, and the Hollywood Bowl throughout the month of October. The event kicked off with a screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and includes highlights like a horror conversation panel with Danny Elfman at USC, a game night, a Haunted Hayride at Monáe Manor. and a concert featuring Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Hollywood Bowl, where Monáe will voice the character of Sally. The festivities culminate on October 30 with an invite-only Vampire Beach-themed music festival hosted by Monáe, featuring surprise DJs, rides, and a costume celebration at a secret location. Monáe, known for her imaginative Halloween costumes in years past, will likely reveal her holiday attire at the event, which she views as a joyful creative outlet and a way to inspire imagination and happiness. (Rolling Stone)

Fugees founder Pras Michél was recently convicted on multiple conspiracy charges that carry a potential 22-year prison sentence, and the 52-year-old rapper has partnered with Mark Wahlberg to produce a documentary exploring his musical legacy and high-profile 2023 trial. The film, produced under Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas banner, will delve into Michél’s rise in the music world, while also focusing on the complex legal case involving allegations of funneling foreign funds to a straw donor to Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign, witness tampering, and failing to register as a foreign agent for China. “Everyone is fascinated by all the twists and turns, like it’s some kind of thriller,” Michél says. “But for me, this is just my life — the real, messy, complicated truth of what I’ve been living through.” Wahlberg is working on the film with Unrealistic Ideas president Archie Gips, who called the story, “a surprising mix of pop culture and geopolitical intrigue that feels like a spy thriller come to life.” (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on the Sherri show, Ja Rule joyfully announced that he’s going to be a grandfather, as his daughter Brittney Atkins, 30, and her husband, Tevin Aitken, are expecting their first child. "I'm about to be a grandfather," he proudly revealed, while jokingly adding, "That don't even sound right." The 49-year-old rapper and actor recounted the memorable moment Brittney revealed her pregnancy by gifting them a sonogram in a box labeled “you’re now grandma and grandfather.” "You can see my expression, see my wifey's expression," the Fast & Furious star shared. "It  was an amazing moment." Already a father of three with wife Aisha, Ja Rule humorously said he plans to adopt the nickname “Big Poppa” for his new role in an homage to The Notorious B.I.G. Show host Sherri Shepherd celebrated the news by presenting Ja Rule with a custom cardigan emblazoned with "Big Poppa" during the show. (People)

Charlie Puth and his wife Brooke revealed that they are expecting their first baby in the singer’s new music video for his song, "Changes." The track is the lead single on Puth’s forthcoming album, Whatever’s Clever!, which is due out March 6 via Atlantic Records. In the video, Brooke, wearing a red sweater, cradles her baby bump as Puth tenderly places his hands over hers, sharing an intimate moment that mirrors the personal themes of the song. A press release for the video says the clip "reflects on 'Changes' both personal and professional with a sweet cameo from his real life wife Brooke Sansone." Ahead of the music video’s release, Puth hinted at the baby announcement with a post on Instagram, writing in the caption: “This is the song I wanted you to hear first because it’s a perfect way to bring all of you into the most beautiful, colorful part of my life, which happens to be right now. You will soon know why…” (Billboard)

Ava Ahlander, a 23-year-old concertgoer from Seattle, tragically died while evacuating the REDWEST Festival in Salt Lake City on Saturday (October 11) due to severe weather. The event, which was set to be headlined by Post Malone, was postponed and attendees were urged to seek shelter, so Ahlander took refuge in her car. But she was struck by a 2×12-inch scaffolding board from a nearby construction site when she stepped out of the vehicle, sustaining fatal head and neck injuries. Despite receiving emergency medical care, her family confirmed her passing to a local news station. “Ava was an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her,” the family said in a statement. “She was an avid concert goer and had flown in from Seattle to go see Post Malone with her friends.” They have since launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral and medical expenses and counseling for those affected, with remaining funds to be donated to a charity in her honor. (Consequence of Sound)

The music world is mourning the loss of neo-soul legend D’Angelo, who died on Tuesday (October 14) at the age of 51 from prostate cancer. His passing has prompted heartfelt tributes from artists including Lauryn Hill, Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé, and Jill Scott. Hill, who duetted with D’Angelo on “Nothing Even Matters” from her landmark 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, wrote a moving tribute to him on Instagram: “I regret not having more time with you. Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world. You sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and even intimidated others to action with your genius. Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.” Beyoncé honored D’Angelo on her website: “We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry, you were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever, we will never forget you.” While his longtime manager, Kedar Massenburg, shared, “D’Angelo was a one-of-a-kind innovator and trailblazer whose contribution to Neo-Soul, R&B, and hip hop, will last forever.” (Variety)

Shaboozey is praising Bad Bunny as the ideal choice for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner, calling him a "global superstar, global icon — and an American citizen," whose performances ignite audiences worldwide. Shaboozey – an NFL halftime show veteran after headlining the 2024 Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show in November before making a high-profile cameo in the Beyoncé Bowl on Christmas Day – spoke with Billboard during the U.S. Grand Prix, telling the publication, “I think Bad Bunny’s awesome.” The country superstar went on to add that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance is going to bring the event to a worldwide audience. “I’ve noticed the NFL has been trying to expand,” Shaboozey said, while adding, “My brother Myles Smith played up in Dublin at one of their season openers, so they’re clearly trying to globalize the brand. Football’s such a beloved sport, why not not take it to other places?” (Billboard)

At the Los Angeles stop of his Antagonist 2.0 Tour on Tuesday night (October 14), Playboi Carti delivered a star-studded performance at Crypto.com Arena. The chart-topping Atlanta rapper brought out A$AP Rocky – who signed Carti to his creative agency, AWGE – and Kendrick Lamar, who surprised fans with a guest appearance during the track “GOOD CREDIT.” This marked a reciprocal moment for the hip-hop stars, as Kendrick had previously brought out Carti during his Grand National Tour stop in Atlanta back in April. Kendrick is set to resume his world tour in Australia this December, while Carti continues his Antagonist 2.0 Tour across major U.S. cities over the next two months, while teasing his highly-anticipated Baby Boi album, which was confirmed to be completed earlier this year but has yet to be given an official release date. (Billboard)

Sabrina Carpenter is the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live’s October 18 episode, and the pop superstar released a new promo for the show that parodies Sex and the City. In the clip, Carpenter hilariously steps into Carrie Bradshaw’s New York, exchanging witty banter with cast members, and embodying the iconic character’s sass, all while a voiceover shares her thoughts about the experience. “The woman wondered what she’d gotten herself into,” Carpenter narrates while she types away at a laptop that isn’t even turned on, before leaving us hanging at the end of the clip by adding, “Having won over the cast and crew, the only thing left to do was…” Carpenter made her debut appearance on SNL in May 2024 by performing her hit single, “Espresso,” alongside a medley of her early tunes, "Feather/Nonsense," and she has since gone on to release two chart-topping albums, the Grammy-winning Short n’ Sweet and Man’s Best Friend. (Rolling Stone)

Nicki Minaj has announced that she is canceling her planned sixth studio album, which was originally set to be released on March 27, 2026. The rapper wrote on X on Wednesday (October 15), “Ok I’m not going to put out the album anymore. No more music,” and she tagged Jay-Z with the message, “Hope you’re happy now.” Minaj then said farewell to her fans by adding, “Bye, Barbz. Love you for life.” In previous posts, Minaj alluded to conflicts with industry figures and her record label, suggesting attempts to block her success. She also referenced tensions with Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez amid ongoing public disputes, including a legal ruling against her and her husband. Despite her announcement, fans on social media remain skeptical of Minaj’s claim that she’s done releasing music, while they patiently await the eventual follow-up to 2023’s Pink Friday 2. (Rolling Stone)

Kylie Jenner has revived her edgy alter ego, King Kylie, while making her music debut on Terror Jr’s new single, “Fourth Strike.” The song is a follow-up to their 2014 track, “Three Strikes,” which was featured in an early Kylie Cosmetics lip gloss ad. The reemergence of King Kylie is tied to her relaunch of signature Kylie Cosmetics retro products under the same banner. The track accompanies a new commercial featuring Jenner as a recently released prisoner driving off in a black convertible with her mother, Kris Jenner, blending throwback visuals aligned with the King Kylie theme. Terror Jr were initially an anonymous group who first gained attention through their collaboration with Kylie Cosmetics. Jenner denied being involved with their original single, which makes this musical feature her official debut. Jenner is also set to appear in Charli XCX’s upcoming A24 film, The Moment, which will expand the acting career of the 28-year-old cosmetics and entertainment mogul. (Rolling Stone)

In a new Vanity Fair cover story, Charli XCX discussed her upcoming film, The Moment, which she described as a “2024 period piece” and “the realest depiction of the music industry that I’ve ever seen.” The movie, which is “based on an original idea” by Charli, explores an alternate reality of her career during the Brat era, imagining how things might have unfolded had she made different choices. It follows a rising pop star navigating fame and industry pressures ahead of her arena tour debut, but Charli explicitly says the project is “not a tour documentary or a concert film in any way.” The film is directed and co-written by Aidan Zamiri, with Charli set to star alongside a star-studded cast featuring Alexander Skarsgård, Rachel Sennott, Kylie Jenner, Rosanna Arquette, and more. While the film doesn't have a specific release date, it is set to arrive sometime in 2026, and features music by Charli’s frequent collaborator, A.G. Cook. (Rolling Stone)

Sabrina Carpenter took to her Instagram Stories to praise Taylor Swift as the “greatest of all time” (GOAT) after Swift's Billboard No. 1 album, The Life of a Showgirl, shattered records by selling over 4 million copies in its first week, marking the biggest opening week in music history. Carpenter, who is featured as the sole guest artist on the album after touring with Swift during her blockbuster Eras Tour, reshared Swift’s recent Instagram post, and celebrated her milestone with a series of heart emojis and the emphatic phrase “Of. All. Time.” In her caption, Swift reflected on her humble beginnings and expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming success of Showgirl, writing: “I have 4 million thank you’s I want to send to the fans, and 4 million reasons to feel even more proud of this album than I already was. I’ll cherish this feeling forever. Thank you for the lovely bouquet. 💐” (Billboard)

Megan Thee Stallion took to Instagram on Monday (October 13) to announce the return of her annual Hottieween Party, which is set to take place on Halloween night (October 31) in the Houston suburb of Humble, Texas. Costumes are mandatory for the event, and everyone must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets go on-sale on Wednesday (October 15), with proceeds benefitting the Grammy-winning rapper’s Pete & Thomas Foundation, which provides resources for women, children, senior citizens, and underserved communities in the area. “HOUSTON HOTTIES IM COMING HOME FOR HALLOWEEN!,” Meg wrote in the caption, while adding, “This year Hottieween is gonna be BIGGER than ever!!! 🎃” In addition to her upcoming holiday party, on Friday (October 10), Megan was honored by The Trevor Project with the 2025 Mental Health Champion of the Year Award for her advocacy and initiatives supporting mental health. (Billboard)

D’Angelo, the pioneering soul and R&B artist known for his critically acclaimed albums Brown Sugar, Voodoo, and Black Messiah, died on Tuesday (October 14) at 51 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” his family said in a statement. “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.” Celebrated as a modern visionary and a key figure in the Soulquarians collective – which included Questlove, Erykah Badu, J Dilla, and Q-Tip – he was lauded for his innovative artistry and profound musical depth, earning 14 Grammy nominations and four wins during his career, including Best R&B Album for both Voodoo and Black Messiah.

Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, he displayed musical talent from an early age, ultimately shaping the sound of contemporary soul and R&B, while rejecting industry labels like "neo-soul," instead describing his work simply as “black music.” Despite personal battles with addiction and lengthy struggles with writer’s block, D’Angelo created timeless music renowned for its emotional intensity and meticulous craftsmanship, influencing a generation of artists before his untimely death. D’Angelo is survived by his son, Michael Archer, whom he shared with soul singer Angie Stone until her death in March 2025. (Rolling Stone)

During her Radical Optimism Tour stop at San Francisco’s Chase Center on Sunday night (October 12), Dua Lipa continued her tour tradition of honoring hometown music legends by surprising the audience with a duet with Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day’s 2004 multi-platinum hit, “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” Lipa introduced the performance by announcing to the crowd: “Every night we do a different surprise song by a local artist, and I immediately thought about San Francisco and all the incredible music that has come out of here. I thought about one band in particular. Join me in welcoming the incredible Billie Joe from Green Day!” Lipa’s collaboration with Armstrong followed her tribute to Bay Area icon Janis Joplin with a cover of “Piece of My Heart” during Saturday’s show. Throughout the tour, Lipa has paid homage to various local artists in each city, and welcomed notable musicians like Gwen Stefani, Chaka Khan, and Charli XCX to share the stage for special collaborations in their hometowns. (NME)

Sabrina Carpenter continues to explore her country music influences, surprising fans during her headlining set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Saturday night (October 11) by bringing out The Chicks to perform their No. 1 smash, “Wide Open Spaces.” The 13-time Grammy winning trio also joined Carpenter for a rendition of her chart-topping hit, “Please Please Please,” which she recently re-released with country music icon Dolly Parton. “ACL weekend 2 🖤 such a special night,” Carpenter wrote on Instagram alongside a photo carousel from the show. “Getting to sing wide open spaces/ please please please with @thechicks was a true highlight of my life!!” This follows Carpenter’s collaboration with country legend Shania Twain during the previous weekend at ACL, and comes shortly after Sabrina made her celebrated Grand Ole Opry debut, highlighting her ongoing homage to country music amid her Grammy-winning pop career. (Holler)

After taking an extended break from live performances in 2024, Demi Lovato announced on Monday (October 13) that she is returning to the stage for a one-night-only show at the Palladium in Los Angeles on October 25. The concert will celebrate the release of Lovato's new album, It’s Not That Deep, which drops the previous day, with the performance also set to feature her favorite hits from over the years. “This era is a celebration of the journey that’s brought me to where i am today,” Lovato wrote. “I haven’t announced a headline show since 2023 and i have missed seeing your faces so much. i cannot wait to get back in a room with you all and sing, dance, scream, and shake our asses TOGETHER!!” Tickets went on-sale at 2 p.m. PT on Monday (October 13), with a press release revealing that tickets are being sold in “limited quantities for this underplay.” (Billboard)

Taylor Swift makes history by claiming the Top 12 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 18. All the songs from Swift's record-setting No. 1 album, The Life of a Showgirl, reached the top twelve places on the chart, led by the No. 1 debut of “The Fate of Ophelia.” This marks the first time a full album has occupied the Top 12 spots uninterrupted on the chart, while Swift dominates the entire Hot 100 Top 10 for the third time in her career, a feat no other artist has ever achieved. “The Fate of Ophelia” also set streaming records with 92.5 million U.S. streams in its debut week – the highest since streaming became the sole chart metric in 2020 – and earned Swift her 13th career Hot 100 No. 1, tying her with Drake and Michael Jackson for fourth-most in chart history, behind only The Beatles (20 No. 1s), Mariah Carey (19), and Rihanna (14).

The album’s 12 tracks collectively amassed 679 million streams, with each of the 12 songs accumulating at least 1.1 million in airplay audience, while cumulatively they rang up 68.5 million in radio reach. Following “The Fate of Ophelia” at No. 1 on the Hot 100 is “Opalite” at No. 2, “Elizabeth Taylor” at No. 3, “Father Figure” at No. 4, “Wood” at No. 5, “Wi$h Li$t” at No. 6, “Actually Romantic” at No. 7, “The Life of a Showgirl,” feat. Sabrina Carpenter at No. 8, “Eldest Daughter” at No. 9, “Cancelled!” at No. 10, “Ruin the Friendship” at No. 11, and “Honey” coming in at No. 12. (Billboard)