Olivia Rodrigo took us on a joy ride through her life following her breakout hit “Drivers License” for Billboard’s new cover, and it was smooth sailing. But nothing can be as smooth as “Butter,” BTS’ upcoming English-language single that the K-pop boy band will be performing for the first time at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
Speaking of award shows, Little Mix and Taylor Swift brought girl power to the 2021 Brit Awards and imparted words of wisdom to the female artists coming after them, while recognizing those who came before them.
Take a look at Billboard’s new weekly roundup and the “awards” it gave to this week’s headlines.
Happiest Music News: Olivia Rodrigo is Billboard’s latest cover star
The “Drivers License” hitmaker is on Billboard’s cover, where writer Andrew Unterberger recalls Rodrigo’s fast track to superstardom, bypassing the usual route of past Disney stars, picking up the pace at the resurgent Geffen Records, and wondering if she’ll be stuck as “the heartbreak girl.” Read her cover story interview here, and see the photos from the cover shoot here.
Funniest Music News: T-Pain goes on an apology tour on Instagram Live
What happens when T-Pain doesn’t check his Instagram DMs for years? He invites the same high-profile artists who tried contacting him, including Lil Jon, Kehlani, Zedd and Lauren Jauregui, up on Instagram Live to offer his sincerest apologies. The megaproducer and rapper went on a virtual “apology tour” Tuesday (May 11), and it looks like he made amends fast because he and Kehlani dropped their collab “I Like Dat” on Friday (May 14). Learn more about what happened on T-Pain’s IG Live here.
Sweetest Music News: Friends reunion special gets A-list guest stars
“I’ll be there for youuuu,” as will BTS, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and more who will be guest-starring on the Friends reunion special with the original cast of the beloved ’90s sitcom, HBO Max announced on Thursday (May 13). The whole gang will be back together — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer — at the TV show’s original soundstage on May 27. See which other A-listers will be joining Friends: The Reunion and watch the teaser here.
Most Record-Breaking Music News: 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces most diverse class
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame revealed its 2021 inductees on Wednesday (May 12) morning: Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, JAY-Z, Carole King, Todd Rundgren and Tina Turner. LL Cool J, Billy Preston, Randy Rhoads, Kraftwerk, Gil Scott-Heron, Charley Patton and Clarence Avant will also be highlighted in honorary categories. Rock Hall’s chairman John Sykes told Billboard about the importance of the gender, racial and musical diversity with the 13 inductees. Read about the 2021 Rock Hall Class here, the diversity breakdown here, and our interviews with Skyes, Rundgren, and King here, here, and here.
Most Inspiring Music News: Little Mix & Taylor Swift’s 2021 Brit Awards speeches
Women ruled the 2021 Brit Awards on Tuesday (May 11), with Little Mix becoming the first female group to win the award for British group. Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall called out “white male dominance” and recognized the British girl groups (e.g., Spice Girls and Sugababes) that came before them in their awards speech. Taylor Swift became the first female artist and the first non-English artist to receive the global icon award, and she used her acceptance speech to inspire up-and-coming artists as well as those who have big dreams for their futures. “If you’re being met with resistance, that probably means doing something new. If you’re experiencing turbulence or pressure, that probably means you’re rising,” Swift said. Read Little Mix’s Brits speech here and Swift’s here.
Most Surprising Music News: BTS will bring “Butter” to 2021 Billboard Music Awards
Get ready, ARMY, because BTS is bringing “Butter” with them to the 2021 BBMAs! The K-pop supergroup announced on Tuesday (May 11) that they will perform at the awards show remotely from South Korea. BTS is also up for top duo/group, top song sales artist, top social artist and top selling song for “Dynamite,” which they performed at the 2020 BBMAs. Read more about what their upcoming performance here, and don’t forget to tune into the 2021 BBMAs on May 23 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on NBC!
