On Tuesday (July 21), French streaming service Deezer announced that, for the first time, fully AI recordings reached more than 50% of new music uploads on its site “at peak level in June 2026,” according to a press release. The service says that equates to 90,000 AI tracks.
To take its AI policies a step further, Deezer is now vowing to remove any AI track that it suspects has been used in streaming fraud scams as well as AI tracks that haven’t been streamed for six months or more. Previously, the service reported that up to 85% of the streams on fully AI tracks were fraudulent, and when streaming manipulation of any kind was found, Deezer would exclude the streams from royalty payments.
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In a previous interview with Billboard, Aurelien Herault, chief innovation officer at Deezer, said that with the influx of new music every day, storage space is a concern for the company: “This is a serious topic for us, and we already removed some content that was using too much space — because it’s not only an economic issue, it’s also an ecological one. Do we need to store all this content so we all have the same catalog and all have a copy of the same things? It’s really a question worth thinking about, and we already have had some discussion to remove some content, especially because a lot of content is not listened to at all.”
Deezer has been tracking the influx of AI-generated content on its service since January 2025, when it first announced plans to track and tag fully AI-generated recordings. At the time, its proprietary AI detection system flagged that 10% of daily uploads were AI-generated. The service also vowed at the time that all detected songs would be removed from algorithmic recommendations and would not be eligible for editorial playlisting, but would remain on the site for fans who wanted to stream them.
The distinction between “fully” and “partially” AI-generated songs is notable: Deezer’s AI detection tool, like nearly all others on the market, only flags 100% AI-generated recordings from the most prolific models like Suno and Udio. It does not flag or penalize songs partially generated by AI. Deezer claims that more than 13.4 million fully AI-generated tracks were detected and tagged on the service in 2025.
“Deezer has been at the frontline of fighting fraud and reducing payment dilution related to AI music for almost two years,” said Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Deezer. “Now that half of all daily uploads are AI-generated tracks, we are taking additional steps to safeguard the rights of artists and songwriters, while maintaining focus on music that fans actually love. We have reached a pivotal moment, but we have the technology to keep track of the development, and an ambition to do what’s right. If the industry can align and come together to create shared standards, we can build a healthy and sustainable music ecosystem, where great music wins.”
Live Nation is partnering with the NFL to bring live music to Australia’s first regular-season NFL game week.
The NFL Melbourne Game Kickoff Festival presented by American Express will take over Melbourne Park from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 12, surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Sept. 11.
The three-day event will include daily entertainment and music performances from Australian artists and local DJs, with a headline act each evening included as part of the festival ticket. The full artist lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
The festival marks a major entertainment push around the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, turning Melbourne Park into a game-week hub with live music, watch parties, fan activations, retail pop-ups, Flag Football clinics, American-style food and NFL exhibits.
“The NFL’s first regular season game in Australia is a landmark moment, and Live Nation is proud to help build the excitement around it with a game-week experience that matches the scale of the occasion,” Luke Hede, senior vice president of touring and commercial at Live Nation Australia, said in a statement.
“The Kickoff Festival will bring together live music, entertainment and the unmistakable energy of the NFL, giving fans a new way to be part of the action. From Melbourne Park to the MCG, this will be a truly memorable celebration for fans across the city.”
Charlotte Offord, NFL general manager for Australia and New Zealand, said the festival is designed for fans attending the game and those who want to be part of the wider celebration.
“The Kickoff Festival promises to be an action-packed experience for sports fans of all ages,” Offord said. “Whether fans are attending the game or not, this event is the perfect way to get a taste of the NFL, be part of the celebrations and enjoy what we know is going to be an incredible few days in Melbourne.
The Kickoff Festival will also host the official watch party for the 2026 NFL season opener, when the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field on Thursday, Sept. 10, in a Super Bowl LX rematch. A separate official watch party will be held for fans not attending the Rams-49ers game at the MCG.
Beyond music, the event will feature appearances from NFL figures, including a live Q&A with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, activations from the Rams and 49ers, and appearances from NFL Australia and New Zealand Global Markets Program clubs, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders.
Fans will also be able to take photos with all 60 Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi Trophy, test their skills at the NFL Academy Combine Zone and watch Flag Football programming at Kia Arena, including clinics, school visits, a celebrity game and Australia vs. New Zealand men’s and women’s national Flag Football games.
American Express Card Members will have access to presale tickets from Monday, July 27, at 10 a.m. AEST through Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m. AEST, while supplies last. General tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on Wednesday, July 29, at 11 a.m. AEST.
Adult tickets are priced at $49 for Thursday and Saturday sessions and $59 for Friday. Kids 13 and under can attend free with an accompanying adult ticket.
The Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10:35 a.m. AEST.
Budjerah is taking Gentleman from the studio to the stage. The Australian singer-songwriter has announced The Gentleman Tour, a run of October and November dates arriving just months after the release of his debut album Gentleman, due Friday (July 24).
The tour begins Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Espy in Melbourne, before heading to Anglesea, Sydney and the Gold Coast. It wraps Saturday, Nov. 21, at The Triffid Beer Garden in Brisbane.
For Budjerah, the tour marks a new chapter after years spent growing in public — from teenage breakthrough talent to Platinum-certified, two-time ARIA Award winner, and now to an artist preparing to release his first full-length statement.
“I’m so excited to be going on tour again!” Budjerah said in a statement. “Being on stage is my favourite part of my job and I can’t wait to see my fans again. When I was making the album, it was with the live performance in mind and I just want to give everyone the best night of their life.”
That live-first approach sits at the heart of Gentleman. Produced by Grammy Award winner Om’Mas Keith, whose credits include Frank Ocean and Jay-Z, the 11-track album draws from the pop and R&B Budjerah grew up loving while tracing the personal growth he experienced between ages 20 and 24.
The album is led by “Even At Worst,” “Could I Be,” “Gentleman” and “Want You Back,” songs that place Budjerah’s voice — warm, elastic and built for big emotional turns — at the center of the record.
The project also brings him into orbit with a heavyweight group of collaborators, including Poo Bear, Diane Warren, Philip Lawrence, Rob Lewis, Autumn Rowe and Alex Burnett. Rather than framing Gentleman as a simple debut, the rollout positions it as the arrival of an artist who has spent years collecting the right songs, lessons and confidence to step fully into his own sound.
Before the tour begins, Budjerah will mark the album release with a run of free stripped-back performances and signings at independent record stores. He will appear at Hum On King in Newtown, NSW, on Sunday, July 26, Badlands Vinyl in Tweed Heads, NSW, on Tuesday, July 28, and Sound Merch in Collingwood, VIC, on Wednesday, July 29.
Presale tickets for The Gentleman Tour are on sale now, with general tickets available Thursday, July 23, at 10 a.m. AEST.
The full tour dates are below:
Saturday, Oct. 31 — The Espy, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, Nov. 1 — The Sound Doctor, Anglesea, VIC
Saturday, Nov. 7 — Metro Social, Sydney, NSW
Friday, Nov. 20 — Miami Marketta, Gold Coast, QLD
Saturday, Nov. 21 — The Triffid Beer Garden, Brisbane, QLD
Fresh from her historic performance at the first FIFA World Cup halftime show on Sunday (July 19), Shakira kept the party going Monday (July 20) at the Barclays Center, where she brought the stadium energy to the Brooklyn arena for a stellar night that included Tyla, Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy as surprise guests.
Part of the second leg of her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in the U.S., the words “World Cup Edition” were added to the title on the big screen at the back of the stage before the Colombian superstar appeared with her dancers to kick off the first of two nights at the venue.
“What a day yesterday at the finals!” she said, referring to the match in which Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 and was crowned champion. “Well, today I’m pumped, so I’m gonna give you all I got. Because there’s nothing like when a she-wolf is back with her pack. Awooo!” The crowd answered with a deafening roar.
After delighting the audience with staples such as “Estoy Aquí,” “La Bicicleta” and “La Tortura,” Shakira presented her first guest of the night: South African singer and songwriter Tyla, with whom she performed her 2006 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Hips Don’t Lie.” And boy, did the “Queen of Popiano” keep up. Singing and dancing through a catwalk that extended from the stage toward the center of the arena, Tyla — wearing a turquoise dress with fringes that complemented Shakira’s gold outfit — didn’t miss a step of the choreography, moving along with the hostess by her side and about 20 more dancers behind.
Later on, Sheeran appeared for a duet of Shakira’s song “Underneath Your Clothes,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100 in May 2002. Playing the guitar and taking turns to sing the different verses, the British superstar — casual in black pants, a white T-shirt and sneakers — added sweetness to the ballad, with their voices blending beautifully in harmony.
And, shortly before the night ended, Burna Boy showed up to perform his collaboration with Shakira, “Dai Dai” — the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the biggest song on the planet today, topping both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts. It was the most cheerful and colorful moment of the night, with the Nigerian singer and the Colombian star — along with her backup dancers — making everyone smile and dance to their irresistible blend of Latin pop, reggaetón, dance-pop and afrobeats.
It was a high that could only be followed by another timeless World Cup anthem: Shakira’s own “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from 2010.
Fresh off its reign atop the Billboard Global 200 and its spotlight turn during the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show, Shakira and Burna Boy’s “Dai Dai (FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026)” adds another win as it vaults 4-1 on the Latin Airplay chart (dated July 25).
The rise delivers Shakira her 25th No. 1 and hands Burna Boy a chart-topper in his first visit.
With “Dai Dai” atop Latin Airplay, Shakira extends her record for the most No. 1s among women in the chart’s 32-year history (J Balvin remains the overall leader with 40 chart-toppers). “Dai Dai” reaches the summit with a 25% gain in audience impressions, to 7.3 million, across the 152 Latin-reporting stations in the United States during the July 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate.
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“Dai Dai” marks Shakira’s return to the summit after more than a year, following the one-week reign of “Soltera” in January 2025. The latter became her first coronation as a solo artist dating to “Loba” in late 2009.
Notably, Burna Boy breaks into the No. 1 spot on any Latin chart coming his first try. The Nigerian singer-songwriter first reached a Billboard ranking through L.I.F.E.: Leaving An Impact For Eternity which hit the top 10 of the Reggae Albums chart. Adding to his overall achievements, “Dai” becomes his second chart-topper of 2026, following his featured run on Gunna’s “wgft,” which led Rhythmic Airplay for four weeks in January.
Since its Billboard debut, “Dai Dai” has collected 10 No. 1s worldwide, now adding Latin Airplay to its list of chart-topping achievements. The song’s global momentum began soon after its premiere at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11.
Here’s a breakdown of “Dai Dai’s” Billboard No. 1s across the globe, by peak date:
Peak Date, Chart, Weeks at No. 1
June 27, Billboard Colombia Hot 100, four
June 27, Switzerland Songs, four
July 4, Billboard Global Excl. U.S., three
July 4, Austria Songs, two
July 11, Billboard Argentina Hot 100, one
July 11, Luxembourg Songs, two
July 18, Billboard Global 200, two
July 18, Germany Songs, one
July 18, Belgium Songs, one
July 25, Latin Airplay, one
“Dai Dai’s” chart domination may continue, even though the World Cup concluded on July 19. Its World Cup final halftime-show performance took place on July 19, during the July 17-23 tracking week, which could lift airplay, streams, and sales globally. At the same time, the song may begin to lose momentum with the final four days of the current tracking period falling after the tournament’s close.
All charts dated July 25, 2026, will update on Billboard.com tomorrow, July 21. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Plus, for all chart rules and explanations, click here.
Kane Brown and Kacey Musgraves are heading to Australia for the launch of LONGHAUL, a new country music festival arriving in January 2027.
The inaugural festival will stop in three cities across one weekend, beginning Friday, Jan. 22, at Melbourne Showgrounds, before heading to Sydney Showground on Saturday, Jan. 23, and Brisbane RNA Showgrounds on Sunday, Jan. 24.
Brown and Musgraves will headline the new event in what are billed as their only Australian shows. The lineup also features Charles Wesley Godwin, Margo Price, Maddox Batson, Ava Hall and James Barker Band, alongside Australian artists Beau Shearer, Denvah, Nathan Lamont, Taylor Moss and Tyla Rodrigues.
Presented by LONGHAUL Touring and powered by TEG Live, the festival is entering the market at a time when country music’s Australian audience is becoming harder to ignore. The bill brings together arena-level U.S. names, Americana favorites, emerging international acts and local artists, pointing to a wider version of country than the genre’s traditional festival lane.
“We have been working very hard on this festival concept for a number of years and so it is incredibly exciting to finally launch the inaugural LONGHAUL Festival with an awesome lineup of international and domestic artists, headlined by superstars Kane Brown and Kacey Musgraves,” Tim McGregor, global head of touring at TEG Live, said in a statement.
“LONGHAUL Touring is just getting started with this flagship festival and there is a lot more in the pipeline to share with you all very soon,” McGregor added. “In the meantime we look forward to welcoming fans to LONGHAUL Festival next January for what will be a great summer’s day out in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.”
Brown brings major Billboard history to the lineup. In 2017, he became the first artist to top all five of Billboard’s main country charts at the same time, leading Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Digital Song Sales and Country Streaming Songs in the same week.
Musgraves arrives with her own chart and awards résumé. Her 2024 album Deeper Well debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales, Top Country Albums, Americana/Folk Albums, Vinyl Albums, Top Current Album Sales and Tastemaker Albums charts. Her 2018 album Golden Hour won album of the year at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
The rest of the bill leans into country’s broad current moment. Godwin has become one of the genre’s fastest-rising live acts, Price remains a key Americana voice, and Batson represents a younger wave of country artists building global audiences online.
Afterpay will serve as the official presale partner for LONGHAUL. The Afterpay presale begins Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. local time and runs until Monday, July 27, at 12 p.m. local time. Other presales begin Monday, July 27, at 1 p.m. local time, before general tickets go on sale Friday, July 31, at 2 p.m. local time via Ticketek.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Light sticks have become one of the defining accessories at K-pop concerts, turning arenas into coordinated displays of color as fans wave synchronized lights throughout a show. With Netflix officially announcing the KPop Demon Hunters global concert tour, fans can start preparing by picking up the official HUNTR/X and Saja Boys light sticks, along with other themed accessories, ahead of the highly-anticipated shows.
The fan tradition of waving light sticks during K-pop shows even made its way to this year’s Academy Awards during HUNTR/X’s performance of Golden. Audience members, including Emma Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor and Chloé Zhao, were seen waving generic light sticks as the trio performed, bringing one of K-pop’s most recognizable concert traditions to Hollywood’s biggest stage.
Now, you can get your hands on an official KPop Demon Hunters light stick online.
OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X Light Stick
Batteries Included
Designed after the HUNTR/X logo from the hit animated film, this electronic light stick features five LED colors and more than eight lighting sequences.
A button on the base cycles through the different effects, while an interactive mode lets it synchronize with compatible HUNTR/X light sticks nearby. Batteries are included, so it’s ready to use right out of the box.
INTERACTIVE LIGHT STICK
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Saja Boys Light Stick
Batteries Included
Modeled after the Saja Boys’ lion emblem, this light stick includes five color modes (pink, blue, green, gold and rainbow), plus more than eight lighting patterns.
It also features a synchronization mode that connects with other compatible light sticks in range for coordinated lighting effects. Batteries are included, and it’s designed to match the group’s darker demon vibes from the film.
The two light sticks measure just under 10 inches in height and are an officially-licensed release from Netflix and toymaker, Hasbro. The KPop Demon Hunters light sticks come ahead of a new concert tour inspired by the film, though exact dates and details have yet to be released.
Of course, you could also pick up the light sticks to bring to one of the upcoming K-pop concerts that have been announced. Light sticks are one concert purchase I recently regretted not buying. At BTS’ Arirang world tour stop at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, I couldn’t find the highly-coveted orbs at the venue and stuck out like a sore thumb in my section as the only person empty-handed. So, consider this your friendly reminder to order the band’s official light stick before concert day — and don’t make the same mistake I did.
As for KPop Demon Hunters, you can also prep for the tour — or a sing-along night at home — with these wigs inspired by the HUNTR/X girls.
DRESS-UP WIGS
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Wigs: Mira, Rumi and Zoey
Each Wig Sold Separately
Bring your KPop Demon Hunters cosplay to the global concert tour with these wigs styled to match each HUNTR/X member’s iconic hair.
Made from heat-resistant synthetic fibers, each wig offers a soft feel, lasting durability, and maintains its shape through extended wear. Each package includes one wig and a wig cap, making it ideal for concerts, cosplay events, Halloween, conventions, stage performances and themed parties.
The KPop Demon Hunters light sticks drop online on the heels of a new Vans sneaker collaboration with the Netflix film, and a new Mattel doll collection inspired by HUNTR/X and Jinu from the Saja Boys.
The soundtrack to the hit TV series Heated Rivalry debuts at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated July 25) following the release of its CD and vinyl editions on July 10. It debuts with 41,000 equivalent album units (all from album sales) earned in the United States in the week ending July 17, according to Luminate.
It also debuts atop the Vinyl Albums, Indie Store Album Sales and Soundtracks charts, and at No. 2 on Top Album Sales. All charts dated July 25 will post to Billboard’s website on July 21.
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Heated Rivalry marks the first soundtrack from a TV series to debut in the Billboard 200 top 10 in more than a decade. The last was the season 1 soundtrack to Fox’s Empire in 2015, which debuted at No. 1. Since Empire, the only other TV series soundtrack to reach the top 10 was the season 2 soundtrack of Prime Video’s animated hit Hazbin Hotel, which peaked at No. 8, after debuting at No. 70 a week earlier, in 2025. (There have been non-series TV soundtracks that have debuted in the top 10 in that span, including Disney Channel’s Descendants 3 movie in 2019.)
The Heated Rivalry soundtrack was issued physically on two color vinyl variants and a two-CD set. The vinyl releases contain songs featured in the show (including t.A.T.u.’s “All the Things She Said,” Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” and Feist’s “My Moon My Man”), along with highlights of Peter Peter’s original score for the series. The CD edition expands the track list to include Peter Peter’s full score alongside the songs. Both the vinyl and CD pressings include a fold-out posters and liner notes by show creator Jacob Tierney, while the vinyl also houses a pair of collectible trading cards.
The vinyl editions of Heated Rivalry sold a combined 28,000 copies in its opening week — the largest sales week on vinyl for a soundtrack in 2026.
Heated Rivalry premiered on the Canadian streamer Crave on Nov. 28, 2025 and debuted the same day in the United States on HBO Max. The show stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams as hockey rivals Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, who navigate a secret romance. The series was adapted from Rachel Reid’s hit Game Changers book series. Its six-episode first season concluded on Dec. 26. The show has been renewed for a second season.
Offset has been granted probation for allegedly attacking a security guard at a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary last year.
Last Wednesday (July 15), a judge in California state court entered a so-called diversion order that postpones Offset’s misdemeanor battery prosecution for one year. If the rapper (born Kiari Cephus) complies with all requirements, including completing community service and attending an anger management program, the criminal case will be dismissed and wiped from his record.
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Offset was accused of striking security guard Jim Leobardo Sanchez in the face after being asked to provide an I.D. to enter a MedMen licensed recreational dispensary in March 2025. Sanchez brought a civil assault lawsuit against Offset in November, and prosecutors in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office leveled a misdemeanor charge in December.
The former Migos rapper has denied Sanchez’s claims, which remain pending in civil court. He pleaded not guilty to the criminal count, and he has not admitted any wrongdoing as part of last week’s probation order.
In addition to community service and anger management, the diversion program requires Offset to stay away from the MedMen location near Los Angeles International Airport, refrain from any violent behavior or threats, and make financial restitution to Sanchez. His prosecution could be reinstated if he violates any of these provisions within the next year.
Offset is set to appear in court for a progress report this November.
Reps for Offset, Sanchez and the LA City Attorney’s Office did not immediately return requests for comment on Monday (July 20).
Burna Boy granted fans an all-access pass to one of the biggest performances of his career, and Billboard had a front-row seat.
In a new behind-the-scenes video diary for Billboard, the genre-blending artist takes viewers through every single step of his day as he prepared to perform at the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final halftime show on Sunday. From a police escort at the beginning of the day to the adrenaline of stepping on the field at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium for the halftime show, the video transparently showcases a timeline of all the moments that led up to and followed his high-profile performance.
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Along the way, Burna shares several memorable interactions. He poses for photos with collaborator Shakira, with whom he teamed up for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” The song — which the duo performed during Sunday’s halftime — spends a second week atop the Billboard Global 200 and a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. Burna also meets up with streamer iShowSpeed, embraces Justin Bieber in a hug, and even greets Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, who made an unannounced cameo to introduce Bieber. After making his rounds, Burna squeezes in one final practice session right before taking the stage.
The camera follows Burna stepping onto the field, capturing the celebration. Burna is all smiles as the performance comes to an end, entering the players’ tunnel to return backstage and receiving praise from Chris Martin, who curated the halftime show and co-wrote the song “We Dance” with his Coldplay bandmates for the finale.
Watch Burna Boy’s full day in the life via Billboard below.