Congratulations on making it through April Fools’ Day! Plenty happened this week that wasn’t a joke, fortunately — including new music from Demi Lovato, a major announcement from Ariana Grande, and a wide-ranging interview with country superstar Eric Church.
Plus, SNL returned after a few weeks off (we’re still talking about Maya Rudolph’s Beyonce impression), one of our favorite music festivals announced its 2021 lineup, and the 2021 Brit Award Nominations were revealed.
Take a look at all of the week’s can’t-miss music moments below.
Saturday Night Live brought some epic music moments
During SNL’s return on Saturday (March 27), host Maya Rudolph trotted out her famed Beyonce impression, Adam Levine made a surprise appearance during musical guest Jack Harlow’s performance, castmember Pete Davidson reprised his Eminem impression, and much more. Looks like the show used its four weeks off wisely!
Justin Bieber landed his eighth No. 1 album
Justice for Justin! Bieber’s new album Justice debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart with 154,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 25, according to MRC Data. Plus, Lana Del Rey’s Chemtrails Over the Country Club entered at No. 2, with 75,000 equivalent album units earned. Check out the full rundown for this week’s Billboard 200 here.
…And his seventh Hot 100 No. 1
As Bieber’s “Peaches” featuring artists Daniel Caesar and Giveon topped the Hot 100 for the first time, Bieber became the first solo male to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and the Billboard 200 albums chart simultaneously (see above). Meanwhile, Cardi B’s previous leader “Up” dropped to No. 2, Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” descended to No. 3 from its No. 2 high, and much more. Everything you need to know about this week’s Hot 100 chart is here.
Miranda Lambert told the story behind one of her biggest hits in a new interview
Lambert opened up in a new interview with Apple Music’s Essentials Radio, and shared what it was like to write her 2012 song “Over You” with Blake Shelton. “My ex-husband, Blake, had lost a brother, and it’s one of those moments where even if you’re married to someone, sometimes you find something new about them,” Lambert recalled. See what else she had to say here.
Ariana Grande announced she’ll be joining The Voice as a coach
Time for a new POV! Grande and NBC revealed on Tuesday (March 30) that the superstar will be joining The Voice as one of the four coaches when it kicks off for season 21 this fall. “Surprise !!! i am beyond thrilled, honored, excited to be joining @kellyclarkson @johnlegend @blakeshelton next season ~ season 21 of @nbcthevoice!” Grande wrote on social media. (Current coach Nick Jonas will not be returning.) See the full announcement here.
Honorees for the 14th annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards were revealed
Andra Day, Zendaya, Cynthia Erivo, Whoopi Goldberg and Michaela Coel will be honored at the 14th annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on April 22. Day is also set to perform at the Essence event, which Laverne Cox will host. Learn more about how to tune into the livestreamed event here.
Women dominated the 2021 Brit Award Nominations
“For the first time in the history of the Brit Awards, female solo artists account for four of the five albums nominated for album of the year,” as Billboard’s Paul Grein reports. The full list of nominations were announced on Wednesday (March 31), and Arlo Parks, Celeste, Dua Lipa and Jessie Ware all landed nods. Check out the list here.
Bonnaroo revealed its 2021 lineup
Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Tame Impala, Tyler, The Creator, Lana Del Rey and more have joined Lizzo as headliners for this year’s epic Bonnaroo festival, now set to take place in September 2021. Other performers include Run the Jewels, Janelle Monáe, Glass Animals, Deftones, Young Thug, My Morning Jacket, G-Eazy, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Phoebe Bridgers, Lil Baby, Deadmaus, Leon Bridges, Young the Giant, Brittany Howard, and Flogging Molly. Check out the full lineup here.
Miley Cyrus teamed up with Cash App to hand out $1 million in stock to Smilers
Miley Cyrus is making it rain! “Nothing is more important than investing in yourself. I want to spread ownership to as many people as I can, so I’m teaming up with @CashApp to give out $1 MILLION in stocks,” the singer wrote on social media Wednesday (March 31). “Share your $Cashtag & favorite company name for your chance to own #INVESTINYOU #partner #15YearsofMiley.” Learn more here.
The Weeknd is getting into the NFT game
The “Blinding Lights” star is making his foray into the red-hot non-fungible token crypto game. “Excited to announce that my first NFT drop is taking place on Saturday (March 3) at 2:00 pm EST on @niftygateway,” The Weeknd tweeted on Wednesday (March 31). “The collection will feature new music and limited edition art. I developed the artwork with Strange Loop Studios.” Here’s what’s on Abel’s auction block.
Eric Church got vaccinated on the cover of Billboard
Billboard’s Melinda Newman interviewed country superstar Eric Church about his crusade to get fans vaccinated, and bring live music back: “…With a triple album and a fall arena tour planned, he’s asking his fans across the political spectrum to consider the COVID-19 vaccine their way back to his shows: ‘You’ve got to get needles in arms.’” Read the full cover story here.
HYBE announced it’s buying Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings
South Korean entertainment company HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) is purchasing Scooter Braun’s company, according to a Friday (April 2) announcement. “The transaction will bring together the two companies’ broad range of services, including management, label services and publishing, for an impressive roster of marquee global artists, such as K-pop super groups BTS, TXT and Seventeen, and U.S. pop stars Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato, among others,” reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Patrick Brzeski. Read more here.
Demi Lovato unleashed her highly-anticipated seventh album
On Friday (April 2), Lovato released Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over, which included collaborations with Ariana Grande, Saweetie, Noah Cyrus and Sam Fischer. “The album is here!!” the singer wrote on social media. “This has been a journey years in the making… I can’t believe it’s here. Please listen to the tracks in order, top to bottom, for me. I love you all.” Stream the new album and watch the poignant music video for the title track here.