MUSIC

Photo Credit; Getty Images

The estate of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has officially intervened to block the release of a new track by viral rap sensation Sexyy Red. The dispute centers on the rapper’s unauthorized use of an iconic sample from Jackson’s 1983 global hit “Beat It” in a song that estate attorneys have labeled as “wholly incompatible” with the legendary artist’s legacy.

Reports surfaced that Sexyy Red (born Janae Wherry) had teased a high-energy, sexually explicit track on social media that prominently featured the signature opening synth riff and guitar work of the Thriller classic. However, within hours of the snippet going viral, the Michael Jackson Estate issued a formal cease-and-desist order to the rapper’s label, Open Shift Distribution, effectively halting any commercial rollout of the song.

Photo Credit; Getty Images

Kendrick Lamar etched his name deeper into music history at the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the most-awarded rapper of all time after pushing his career total to

27 wins. The milestone moment came early in the ceremony at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, where the Compton-born artist claimed Best Rap Album for GNX, overtaking Jay-Z's long-standing record of 25 Grammy trophies.

Photo Credit; Getty Images

Kid Rock has addressed speculation that he lip-synced during his performance at Turning Point USA's "All-American Halftime Show," which aired Sunday, February 8. Speaking to Fox News' The Ingraham Angle on February 9, the 55-year-old performer explained the apparent inconsistencies were due to a "syncing issue" with the show's audio.

"My DJ, who actually raps that song with me, was not lit up," Kid Rock said. "I'm jumping around the stage like a rabid monkey, rapping my song, and I'm taking breaths, and my DJ is filling in the other parts of it." He added that he had raised concerns when reviewing the rough cut, noting, "You guys got to work on that sync. It's off. So it was just a syncing issue that they had, and I know they tried to get it right. It was very difficult."

The performer suggested that critics, particularly "the left" and mainstream media, were quick to accuse him of lip syncing. "It would have been super easy to sync it up if it was prerecorded," he said, praising the production crew for their efforts despite the challenges.

The TPUSA halftime show, organized as a conservative alternative to the NFL's Super Bowl performance, featured performances by Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett. Kid Rock emphasized the event was designed to cater to a portion of Americans "underserved entertainment-wise" and aimed to celebrate "American faith, family, and freedom." Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet confirmed plans for another "All-American Halftime Show" next year.

Photo Credit; Getty Images

The late Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been officially recognised by the global music industry as he becomes the first African to receive the Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour will be given posthumously almost three decades after his death in 1997 at the age of 58. For many fans who have long regarded him as the king of Afrobeat this moment represents overdue global acknowledgement of an artist whose influence reshaped music culture and political expression far beyond Africa.

Fela Kuti’s son and fellow musician Seun Kuti described the recognition as a moment of balance in his father’s long story. Speaking to the BBC he said Fela had lived in the hearts of the people for decades and that the Grammys acknowledgement felt like a double victory. Long time friend and former manager Rikki Stein also welcomed the award calling it better late than never and noting that African music had not historically received strong attention from major global institutions.

The award comes at a time when African music has gained increasing international visibility. Following the worldwide success of Afrobeats a genre inspired by Fela’s original Afrobeat sound the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category in 2024. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has also received a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category. Despite these recent developments Fela Kuti remains the first African to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award which was first introduced in 1963.

Photo Credit; Getty Images

Bad Bunny has kept details of his upcoming Super Bowl LX halftime performance under wraps, but the global star has offered a glimpse into what audiences can expect when he takes the stage. Speaking at an Apple Music press conference on Feb. 5, the Puerto Rican artist made it clear that he plans to prioritise energy and celebration rather than spoilers.

Asked whether special guests would join him during the show, the performer avoided revealing specifics. "You know that's something that I'm not gonna tell you," he said. "I don't know why you ask that." He went on to joke about the idea of guests, adding, "Of course I think I have a lot of guests. It's gonna be my family, my friends, all of the Latino community around the world."

Photo Credit: Getty Images

India’s music lovers are coming to terms with an emotional moment in contemporary Bollywood history. Renowned singer Arijit Singh has announced that he will no longer take on new playback singing assignments, bringing an end to a chapter that shaped the sound of Indian cinema for more than a decade. The announcement has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans across the country, many of whom describe his voice as the background to their heartbreaks, celebrations and everyday lives.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The 68^th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, served as a definitive moment for the Recording Academy, characterized by historic “firsts” and the recognition of global dominance in music. Hosted for the sixth and final time by Trevor Noah, the ceremony was a high-production spectacle that balanced the crowning of new legends with high-octane rock tributes and sharp cultural commentary.

Photo Credit; Getty Images

Justin Bieber is set to make his first major public performance in four years at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The pop star, who is nominated for four awards this year, will take the stage following a period of relative quiet, during which he focused on family life with wife Hailey Bieber and raising their young son, Jack Blues.

Bieber's nominations this year include Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Swag, Best Pop Solo Performance for "Daisies," and Best R&B Performance for "Yukon." This marks his third career nomination for Album of the Year, following Purpose in 2017 and the deluxe edition of Justice in 2022. With a total of 27 Grammy nominations to date, Bieber has previously won two awards, for Best Dance/Electronic Recording in 2016 and Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2021.