From the thrills and spills of Lily Allen’s ‘divorce album’ to dazzling pop debuts, introspective UK rap and country romps, Roisin O’Connor, Hannah Ewens and Ellie Muir reflect on the best in music 2025 had to offer
OVO Wembley Arena With additional sets from Dru Hill and Joe, this revue is a little too nostalgic and lacks the advertised festive spirit – but the vocal prowess on show is undeniable
All of the artists on the lineup for the second annual R&B Xmas Ball – Dru Hill, Joe, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men – have Christmas albums from the last two decades, but rather than putting a twist on carols or crooner standards, this is an evening that merely uses Christmas as an excuse for a night out to hear earnest, heart-rending 90s R&B.
Dru Hill deliver classic R&B in matching outfits, as their 2000s music videos – as seen on kebab shop TVs nationwide – play out behind them, while a set of mostly slow jams from Joe sets the stage for Braxton.
Kelsea Ballerini told a concert heckler to "f--- off" after they yelled 'Team Morgan' during her emotional song "Penthouse" about ex-husband Morgan Evans.
‘I handed a guy a starting pistol for a stick-up scene. But instead he reached into his car and took out the sawn-off shotgun you see in the movie’
I was part of the New York graffiti artists the Fabulous 5, who were primarily known for painting whole subway cars on the Lexington Avenue line. Lee Quiñones was the group’s Michelangelo. I’d been running with Jean-Michel Basquiat and wanted to take graffiti art into art spaces. I thought that an underground independent film could tell our story in the way we wanted.
From prog cabaret and joyful jangle-pop to a rapper who rhymed ‘bonkers’ with ‘chompers’, here are the year’s finest LPs as decided by 30 Guardian music writers • More on the best culture of 2025
President refers jokingly to renamed ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’ at celebration of stars from music and film
Donald Trump added another job title – awards host – to his presidential portfolio on Sunday when he took charge of the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, claiming his show was getting “rave reviews” even before it ended.
The US president stayed away from the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during his first term. But since returning to office in January, he has made the complex a lightning rod in a broader attack against what he has labelled “woke” anti-American culture.
Fashion designer reveals why Solange attacked Jay-Z in infamous 2014 Met Gala elevator fight, claiming it started over compliments to Rachel Roy's dress.
The singer posted a photo of the pair smiling cheek to cheek and a video of them eating sushi together while in Japan
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau have launched their relationship on Instagram, after the singer posted a photo of the pair smiling cheek to cheek and a video of them eating sushi together while in Japan.
Perry’s post appeared to confirm the pair are in a relationship, after months of speculation about a possible romance between her and the former Canadian prime minister.
Donald Trump hosts Kennedy Center Honors with Hollywood stars including Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, and Kelsey Grammer at the prestigious Washington D.C. event.
Donald Trump hosts Kennedy Center Honors with Hollywood stars including Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, and Kelsey Grammer at the prestigious Washington D.C. event.
The White House escalated a feud with Sabrina Carpenter by dubbing over her "Saturday Night Live" clip for ICE video in continued conflict with the "Manchild" singer.
Producer says creatives need to own their intellectual property so they can license it to generative AI platforms
The Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart has said artificial intelligence is an “unstoppable force”, and musicians and other artists should bow to the inevitable and license their music to generative AI platforms.
These platforms use artificial intelligence to analyse existing songs and tracks, using that knowledge to generate completely new ones as prompted by a user. For example, someone could ask the AI platform to generate a song about a boozy night out in the style of a Britpop band, and it would draw on songs with similar sounds and themes to create its own.
The DJ, producer and singer likes the kind of dancehall her dad disapproves of, and her funk to be electronic. But whose songs make her feel bougie?
The first single I ever bought
Aaliyah, Rock the Boat. My nan sent me and my cousin to pick up some bits in Dalston and there was some change left over so I went into HMV and bought this CD for £1.99. I shouldn’t have been stealing my nan’s change but I felt so grownup. If my Jamaican dad had found out, he wouldn’t have been happy. I would have got a couple of licks.
The song I inexplicably know every lyric to
Mambo No 5 (A Little Bit of …) by Lou Bega. I was working on my album recently and realised I knew every word. I was so impressed because I barely remember my own lyrics.
Katy Perry shares Instagram photos with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during their Japan visit, officially revealing their relationship to fans.
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