The 13 Best Things That Happened in Music This Week (Jan. 10)
The first full week of 2020 proved that it’s about to be a big year: BTS announced a new album, Halsey plotted North American tour dates, and both Bonnaroo and BottleRock announced star-studded lineups. Perhaps the most exciting — and anticipated — happening of the week was the arrival of Selena Gomez’s Rare, her first full-length since 2015’s Revival.
While Selenators certainly have plenty to be excited about this week, the Beyhive got a teaser first look at Beyonce’s forthcoming Ivy Park collaboration with Adidas, and Mac Miller’s fans found out that they’ll be hearing more music from the late rapper on his posthumous album Circles in just one week.
Take a look at some of the biggest moments in music this week below.
Post Malone’s “Circles” returned to No. 1
With Christmas come and gone, every holiday song that was on the Billboard Hot 100 dropped off. Post Malone most benefited from the sudden disappearance of the reigning two songs — Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” — as “Circles” shot back to the top spot for its third total week at No. 1. Maroon 5 and Roddy Ricch also saw major jumps, with the pop-rock group’s latest hit “Memories” launching from No. 9 to No. 2 and the rising rap star’s “The Box” bounded from No. 13 to No. 3.
BTS revealed when their next album is coming
Just days after teasing that there’s a tour in store for 2020, BTS revealed that they have an album coming — and soon. The K-pop phenoms took to Twitter to announce Map of the Soul: 7, the group’s first formal album since 2019’s Map of the Soul: Persona, will arrive Feb. 21. With the release date just weeks away, naturally the ARMY were thrilled: “Raise your hand if you ready to loose sleep, be broke and top all charts,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
Bonnaroo and BottleRock revealed their 2020 lineups
Though festival season is still a few months away, excitement is already brewing as lineups are arriving left and right. The week after Coachella announced its 2020 lineup, both BottleRock and Bonnaroo unveiled their rosters, and they’re plenty star-studded. Headlining the Napa Valley-based BottleRock are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band and Stevie Nicks, with Miley Cyrus, Khalid, Anderson .Paak, Zedd and more also on the bill. Bonnaroo will see no jam bands this year, and instead sees one of its most diverse lineups ever: Lizzo, Tool and Tame Impala will headline, and Lana Del Rey, Vampire Weekend, Run the Jewels, and more will perform throughout the weekend.
Angelina Jordan delivered a stunning Queen cover on AGT: The Champions
In another celebration of America’s Got Talent’s brightest stars, season 2 of AGT: The Champions kicked off on Tuesday (Jan. 7) in awe-inspiring fashion. Arguably the most jaw-dropping performance of the show’s premiere was a cover of Queen’s iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody” by 13-year-old Angelina Jordan, who won Norway’s version of AGT in 2014 at just 8 years old. See for yourself (and try to not get chills):
Lizzo, Billie Eilish and more were announced as Grammy performers
It’s officially Grammy month, and the first round of performers were revealed on Wednesday (Jan. 8). The 2020 show will see debuts from Billie Eilish and Lizzo — two of this year’s most-nominated artists — as well as a first-time live duet from real-life lovebirds Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. The 2020 MusiCares Person of the Year®, Aerosmith, will also perform a medley of their biggest hits. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of the Jan. 26 Grammys.
Ariana Grande, the Jonas Brothers and more earned iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations
Wednesday morning proved to be exciting for Lizzo and Billie Eilish, as they each earned a slew of iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations. Also earning several nods are the Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran and Lil Nas X. See the full list of nominees here!
Halsey plotted a 2020 tour
As fans gear up for Halsey’s forthcoming album, Manic, on Jan. 17, the “Graveyard” singer gave them something else to be excited about: a new tour. Halsey announced on Wednesday that she’s setting out on tour this summer in support of Manic. Starting on June 2 in Seattle, the North American leg will conclude on Aug. 1 in Irvine, Calif. The first half will feature support from Chvrches and Omar Apollo, and Pvris and Blackbear will open the second half of the trek.
Mac Miller’s family announced his posthumous album Circles
Mac Miller’s legacy will live on in 2020, as the late rapper’s family shared on his Instagram that his first posthumous album will arrive on Jan. 17. Titled Circles, the LP is the companion album to his Grammy-nominated 2018 effort Swimming, completing a “Swimming in Circles” concept, according to his family’s post. The note also praised producer Jon Brion for helping get Circles to the finish line in the wake of Miller’s sudden passing in September 2018. Read the full message below:
Justin Bieber revealed his Lyme disease diagnosis (and that he’s doing just fine)
Amid the excitement around his new single “Yummy” and big 2020 plans, Justin Bieber got real with fans on Wednesday when he revealed that he’s been battling Lyme disease. He assured Beliebers that he’s getting the necessary treatment and that he will “be back and better than ever,” and that more will be detailed in his forthcoming YouTube docuseries, Justin Bieber: Seasons. Though Bieber faced some hate in the wake of his announcement, his wife, Hailey, was quick to defend those who were downplaying the seriousness of Lyme. She was backed by Avril Lavigne, who has openly been battling Lyme disease since 2015.
Beyonce shared a first look at her new Ivy Park collaboration with Adidas
The Beyhive is buzzing about Beyonce’s forthcoming Ivy Park collection with Adidas, and Queen Bey made them even more excited with a teaser of the collaboration on Thursday (Jan. 9). The minute-long clip revealed several pieces from the athleisure line, including a burgundy and neon orange ensemble and a velvet track jacket with the same color combo. Check out the teaser ahead of the collection’s release on Jan. 18:
The Grammys announced an all-star Prince tribute
Two days after hosting the Grammys, Alicia Keys will have another big duty: paying tribute to Prince. But she won’t be alone, as the likes of John Legend, Usher, Beck, Foo Fighters, Mavis Staples, Earth, Wind & Fire and more will take part in Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince. The concert will be taped at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Jan. 28, with the television special airing on CBS later in 2020. Get all the details here.
Selena Gomez, Drake and Future, Halsey and more released new tunes
Though Selenators may be focused on Rare, there’s also plenty of other new jams for music fans to dive into on Friday (Jan. 10). Drake and Future declared that “Life Is Good” on a brand new team-up, Halsey dropped her last song before Manic arrives next week (titled “You Should Be Sad”), and Khalid delivered another smooth tune with “Eleven.” Drake and Future weren’t the only superstar pair to drop a song, either, as Latin stars Nicky Jam and Daddy Yankee put out a new collab and Ozzy Osbourne unveiled his Elton John duet “Ordinary Man.” Check out Billboard’s take on all the hottest new music here!
City Girls celebrated their first Billboard cover
As 2020 kicks into gear, City Girls are ready to continue the 2019 success of female rappers in a new year, and talked to Billboard all about their plans to dominate. JT and Yung Miami opened up about JT’s jail time and how that impacted that their career as a duo, but also how they were able to bounce back to what JT calls “City Girls 2.0.” Read the full story here.