MUSIC

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Colombian superstar Shakira gave a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night, an event that the city’s mayor said drew 2 million people to one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts.

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Olivia Dean has reached a monumental milestone as her hit song "Man I Need" surpasses one billion streams on Spotify, earning her a place in the platform's prestigious Billions Club.

The British pop sensation continues to gain momentum, with this achievement marking a significant highlight in a year filled with accolades. Olivia Dean was honored as Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards and dominated the 2026 BRIT Awards, securing four wins including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. She also took home three awards at the 2026 MOBO Awards, further solidifying her status in the music industry.

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Spotify is launching a "Verified" badge to help users distinguish human musicians from AI-generated content. The streaming giant announced that a green checkmark and the text "Verified by Spotify" will now appear next to the names of artists who meet specific authenticity standards. To qualify, creators must provide "signals of a real artist," such as linked social media accounts, consistent listener activity, and evidence of real-world presence like merchandise sales or tour dates.

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The new biographical film Michael takes a familiar approach to telling the story of one of the most iconic entertainers in history, but it succeeds where it matters most. It gives fans a chance to relive the magic. At the center of it all is Jaafar Jackson, who takes on the role of his legendary uncle with a performance that feels surprisingly authentic, even without singing a single note himself.

In many musical biopics, actors are expected to perform their own vocals, adding a layer of realism and risk. Films like Coal Miner’s Daughter, Rocketman, and Elvis followed that path with varying degrees of success. Michael chooses a different route. The film uses original recordings of Michael Jackson’s songs, from Billie Jean to Thriller, with Jaafar lip syncing. Instead of weakening the performance, this choice allows him to focus fully on embodying the physical presence and emotional tone of the King of Pop. The result is a portrayal that feels uncannily real, especially in the dance sequences where he truly shines.

The film is clearly designed as a crowd pleasing experience rather than a deep dive into controversy. Marketed as His Story Begins, it deliberately avoids the darker chapters of Jackson’s life. Early versions reportedly included more difficult material, but those elements have been removed. What remains is a polished and largely uplifting origin story that traces his rise from child star to global phenomenon. The ending even hints at a continuation, suggesting that a sequel could explore the more complicated aspects of his legacy.

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Taylor Swift is taking legal steps to protect her voice and image from misuse in the age of artificial intelligence, according to newly filed trademark documents.

The singer has applied for federal protection of specific phrases closely associated with her voice, including “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor.” These filings fall under the rare “sound mark” category, typically used to safeguard distinctive audio identifiers.

The move is seen as a proactive response to the rise of AI-generated content, including deepfakes and synthetic audio that can imitate public figures without consent. By securing trademarks tied to her voice, Swift could strengthen her legal position against unauthorised content that mimics her identity.

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The Strokes brought an unexpected and highly political ending to their weekend two performance at Coachella, delivering a closing moment that quickly became one of the most talked about highlights of the festival. The band concluded their set with a video montage that criticized United States foreign policy and depicted recent bombings in Iran and Gaza, leaving audiences both surprised and divided.

The final minutes of the performance marked a sharp departure from their previous weekend appearance. As the band played “Oblivius,” a song they had not performed live since 2016, frontman Julian Casablancas repeated the pointed line, “What side you standing on?” The message was reinforced visually by a sequence of clips shown on massive LED screens behind the band.

The montage included accusations about the historical role of the CIA in influencing political outcomes in various countries. It traced a narrative from earlier periods in American history to more recent military actions. The video culminated in footage showing destruction in Iran with the caption “Over 30 universities destroyed in Iran,” followed by imagery from Gaza labeled “Last university standing in Gaza.” These visuals were displayed as the band performed in front of an illuminated mosque backdrop, intensifying the emotional impact.

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Meghan Trainor has called off her upcoming Get in Girl tour, saying the demands of work and family have become too much to balance.

The singer shared the news in an Instagram post, explaining that the decision came after "a lot of reflection and some really tough conversations." The tour had been scheduled to begin on June 12 in Michigan and include stops across North America.

"Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour, and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now," she said. "And I need to be home and present for each and all of them at this time."

Trainor and her husband, Daryl Sabara, recently welcomed their daughter, Mikey Moon, via surrogacy. The couple also share two sons, Riley and Barry.