This week was all about the ladies! Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj landed a new No. 1, Grimes shared a glimpse into her home life with her growing family, Katy Perry gifted fans with album news and a new song, Ariana Grande gave a wide-ranging interview, and much more.
Take a look at some of the week’s biggest music happenings below.
A new No. 1 was also the first No. 1 for both artists
It was a tight race with Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” featuring Beyoncé, but at the final hour, Doja Cat’s “Say So” featuring Nicki Minaj leapt from the No. 6 spot to No. 1, earning each artist their first Hot 100 chart topper. Both artists were overjoyed at the accomplishment, and Billboard staffers discussed the important questions surrounding the new No. 1. Congrats, ladies!
Grimes shared some sweet video footage of her baby son
Grimes and her boyfriend Elon Musk have set social media aflame these past weeks, mostly due to naming their song X Æ A-12. But no matter how you feel, you have to admit that the couple’s latest post about the baby is simply pure.
iHeartMedia’s Rise Up New York! telethon raised more than $115 million
The Rise Up New York! telethon on Monday (May 11) saw famous faces unite from afar, with Tina Fey on hosting duty from 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Mariah Carey, Sting, Alica Keys, Billy Joel and many more performed, and by the end of the program, a whopping $115 million had been raised for the Robin Hood Relief Fund. Check out the 10 best moments from the event here.
Katy Perry had two bits of big news
Is a collaboration between Katy Perry and Taylor Swift happening? According to Perry, maybe. The pop star checked in with Extra while promoting American Idol, playing coy when asked about the rumors — and not giving a straight answer. Plus, Perry announced the release date for her upcoming album!
Billboard did a deep dive on Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia album campaign
Billboard‘s Lyndsey Havens checked in with the popstar’s management team and label to find out how you pull off a slam dunk album release in the time of coronavirus. (New rule No. 1 is: don’t stop now.)
…And caught up with K-pop force Tomorrow X Together
As TXT gear up to release their The Dream Chapter: Eternity album, the BTS labelmates sat down with Billboard to reflect on one year together as a band. Says Beomgyu, “We hope that people will be able to think of Tomorrow X Together when they hear about a perfect performance or a well made, high-quality album.” The group also revealed the advice that BTS gave them, shared the inspiration behind their new album, and much more.
…And spoke to some cool teens
For the first installment of When This Is All Over, a new Billboard series where we ask folks to look ahead to life after quarantine, we hit up 12 teen artists and entertainers to ask who they want to see in concert first (once that’s a thing again). Mxmtoon, NCT Dream, Emma Chamberlain and more weighed in.
Ariana Grande revealed that she and Doja Cat have an unreleased collab
If this week felt like all Doja, all the time — you’re not wrong (and we’re not mad). In a wide-ranging interview with Apple Music, Grande revealed that she and Doja have a collab in the works. She also chatted about her Justin Bieber charity collab “Stuck with U,” the first time she met Madonna, and much more. We’ve got a list of nine takeaways from the interview here.
A three-day dance music event will include an exclusive 2011 set from Avicii
The first-ever Virtual DisDance Festival is going down May 22-24, and will feature Alesso, Alison Wonderland, Martin Garrix, Kygo, Deadmau5, Kaskade, Calvin Harris’ Love Regenerator project, Major Lazer, Marshmello, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Above & Beyond and more. There will even be a streamed set by the late, great Avicii — check out the full lineup here.
CMT will hold a virtual benefit concert for Feed the Front Line Live
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini and tons more country stars will appear during a virtual benefit for Feed the Front Line, which provides free meals to frontline COVID-19 employees, essential works and those in need by providing meals from local restaurants. Learn more here.
Noah Cyrus, Loud Luxury and more artists performed Live At-Home sessions
If you missed this week’s live Billboard performance sessions, no fear — you can rewatch each set here. Dance duo Loud Luxury turned their Los Angeles balcony into a daytime rave venue, Hanson celebrated the 20th anniversary of their sophomore album This Time Around, and much more.
Future, Katy Perry, The Jonas Brothers x Karol G and tons more released new music
It was a stacked New Music Friday, with fresh cuts from Future (High Off Life), Katy Perry (“Daisies”), Jonas Brothers featuring Karol G (“X”) and others. No need to be overwhelmed — Billboard has gathered everything you need to hear right here.