Drake sampled Lykke Li’s “Little Bit” on 2009’s So Far Gone, and now he’s interpolated the Swedish singer again, this time her breakthrough hit “I Follow Rivers” nearly two decades later on his new Iceman album, which arrived on Friday.

Rolling Stone caught up with Lykke Li over the weekend to get her thoughts on Drizzy circling back to shrewdly interpolate her 2011 EDM-infused bop on the spiteful “Janice STFU.” “I think it’s potent. It has that raw, revenge, hip-hop energy,” she said of the Iceman standout.

Li thought she was being trolled by co-writer Rick Nowels, who informed her via email that Drake wanted to use “I Follow Rivers” on Iceman. Most of all, the 40-year-old appreciates all of the different lives that the global anthem — which exploded following a The Magician remix — has taken on over the years.

“I mean, it is the most mysterious, incredible gift of my career because it’s had so many lives and different iterations,” she added. “With certain songs, there’s an alchemy or symmetry to them that allows them to have their own life in the world. And as a songwriter, that’s the greatest wish. I’m so grateful and blessed to have one of those songs that doesn’t even belong to me. It has a life of its own.”

Fittingly, it’s almost as if Lykke Li manifested reconnecting with the 6 God, as the singer admitted she’d been “craving” Drake and bumping classic tracks like “Marvin’s Room” recently.

“Strangely enough, I’ve been really craving Drake and have actually been listening to ‘Marvins Room’ lately,’” she revealed, name-checking the 2011 Take Care song. “The old Drake was such an era. When you’d walk into a room and they’d play ‘Hotline Bling.’ … So yeah, I was missing him.”

Lykke Li performed at Coachella in April and dropped her The Afterparty project earlier in May. As for the OVO boss, Drizzy returned with Iceman on May 15 alongside Habibti and Maid of Honour to complete a trifecta of LPs.

Listen to “I Follow Rivers” and “Janice STFU” below.

Lola Young just delivered a performance that cannot be ignored, helping Apple Music launch its brand-new Music Room series.

The British pop singer is the first artist to appear on the new performance series, which aims to give musicians an opportunity to reimagine their own tracks in a smaller, more private setting. The first look at her performance comes exclusively via Billboard on Monday (May 18), with a video of Young singing “Can We Ignore It :(” for a small crowd of fans gathered in Apple Music’s studios in Los Angeles.

After an extended instrumental intro that differs from the original track, Young raises her mic and lets her powerful voice rip in the video, the stripped-back setting giving a new resonance to her lyrics. “I play with fire, kinda like the way I feel when it burns/ If I’m being honest, I’ll take anything as long as it hurts,” she belts, emotion saturating her voice. “I need a doctor, got a sickness, and it’s just getting worse/ I said, ‘I think I’m dying,’ he said, ‘Darling, you’ve been dying since birth.’”

As the song picks up in intensity, the Grammy winner circles the small, carpeted room, taking turns singing straight to members of the crowd bopping along in their seats. “I’m not going to start crying my makeup off, but it was just a moment when you realize, like, art is really all we have,” she says at the end, holding back tears.

“F— it, that’s what I’m saying,” she adds. “That moment when I’m hearing the music, and it’s like, ‘F—, that’s all I’ve ever had.’”

Young also reworked several other songs from her 2025 album, I’m Only F–king Myself — including “d£aler,” “Penny Out of Nothing” and “One Thing” — for the flagship program, with her full performance premiering on Apple Music and YouTube at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday (May 19). Fans will then be able to listen to recordings from the event compiled on an EP titled Music Room: Lola Young EP, available exclusively on Apple Music.

“Apple Music has always aimed to bring artists and their fans closer,” Rachel Newman, co-head of Apple Music, said in a statement about the new series. “There is no better example of that idea come to life than Music Room. It’s everything that’s pure and even magical about live music, unfiltered and unadorned. No spectacle or stage — just the songs and the stories behind them, shared like never before, the audience just inches away.”

More installments of Music Room with other guest artists are set to roll out in the coming months.

Watch Young’s performance of “CAN WE IGNORE IT :(” for Apple’s new Music Room series above.

Holli’ Gabrielle Conway, Jade Milan and Stoney B. Woods are set to portray Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, respectively, in CrazySexyCool — The TLC Musical. As noted in an earlier Billboard story, the show — produced by special arrangement with Bill Diggins — will debut this summer at Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater in Washington, D.C. It will run from June 12 through Aug. 9. The musical’s debut will precede the upcoming It’s Iconic Tour, co-headlined by TLC and Salt-N-Pepa with special guest En Vogue. The tour launches Aug. 15 in Franklin, Tenn.

Based on music recorded and performed by the four-time Grammy Award-winning group — featuring signature songs such as Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits “No Scrubs,” “Creep,” Waterfalls” and “Unpretty” — CrazySexyCool is written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah. His credits include One Love: The Bob Marley Musical. Additional members of the production’s creative team include choreographer Chloe O. Davis (Gypsy), Tony Award-nominated music supervisor David Holcenberg (MJ the Musical) and music director Jaret Landon (Smokey Joe’s Café).

“CrazySexyCool is as bold, fearless and unapologetic as TLC themselves,” said Arena Stage artistic director Hana S. Sharif in the press release. “It holds space for the music we love and the reality that lies behind it, making room for both the joy of their success and the complexity of everything that came with it.”

The actresses playing the three members of the pioneering R&B/pop group have previously performed on Broadway. Conway appeared in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Milan was in Hell’s Kitchen and Woods acted in The Book of Mormon. “One of the most meaningful parts of this process is showing how TLC’s impact has lasted for generations,” said the trio in a joint statement. “Every song brings you back to a moment in your life. Stepping into that nostalgia, while furthering TLC’s legacy of resilience, creativity and sisterhood has been one of the coolest and most rewarding parts of telling this story. The chemistry and trust between us have become a huge part of what makes this show feel special.”

In speaking about the musical’s titular group, cast and creative team, Kwei-Armah commented, “TLC’s music was the soundtrack to a very meaningful part of my life. The cast we have assembled is fire, and the creative team is out of this world. I haven’t been this excited in a long time.”

For additional information about CrazySexyCool — The TLC Musical and tickets, visit the show’s website here.

In partnership with Billboard, Montauk Yacht Club has announced the return of its Marina Music Series for a third season, kicking things off with a Memorial Day Weekend DJ set from Washed Out on Saturday, May 23, with more talent announcements yet to come.

Washed Out — christened the “Godfather of Chilllwave” by Pitchfork — will set the tone for the summer with a sunset DJ set on May 23 from 5-8 p.m. ET. The singer/songwriter/producer born Ernest Greene has scored two top 20 albums on Billboard‘s Top Dance Albums chart, including his most recent release, 2024’s Notes From a Quiet Life (Sub Pop).

The Marina Music Series will bring a string of live performances to the East End all summer, following a 2025 season that featured sets from NEIL FRANCES and Paco Versailles, as well as inaugural 2024 sets from Anderson .Paak and St. Lucia.

If you’ll be in Montauk next weekend, you can reserve a spot for Washed Out here, or reach out about VIP table reservations for larger groups by emailing myc.dining@montaukyachtclub.com. You can also keep tabs on future summer events and more Marina Music Series announcements at MontaukYachtClub.com/happenings. (Table reservations, hotel guests and marina members have priority access and guaranteed entry; GA guest list is based on capacity and not guaranteed entry.)

“Billboard has long been an incredible partner to us, so we’re thrilled to bring this music series back to Montauk Yacht Club,” says Casey Dolkas, vice president, activations & experiences at Proper Hospitality. “Music has always been central to how we create culture and community across our properties, and there’s no better backdrop for this summer series than Montauk.”

“Billboard has always been focused on bringing artists and fans together in unforgettable settings, and Montauk Yacht Club provides a unique experience,” says Mary Rooney, SVP of experiences at Billboard. “We’re excited to continue building on this partnership and create a summer series in Montauk that feels intimate, elevated, and deeply connected to music culture.”

Built in 1928, Montauk Yacht Club is the largest luxury hotel and marina in the Hamptons, spanning 16 acres, with 106 hotel rooms and more than 230 boat slips on the historic Star Island.

Jason Lee typically doesn’t mince words when it comes to giving his unfiltered opinions as a pop culture critic. However, he realizes there are times he crossed the line, one of those being his offensive remarks about Ariana Grande, which his close friend, Cardi B, called him out for.

The Hollywood Unlocked founder joined If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes on May 14, where Lee recalled a time he overstepped his boundary with his criticism.

“There’s been a few times I have crossed the line. I was in a podcast and I didn’t have a lot of people around me that would say, ‘Damn, you shouldn’t have said that.’ So I would just say anything I wanted. At the time, I just felt some type of way about Ariana Grande,” he said.

The 48-year-old revealed it was Cardi B who checked him and put him in his place, which made him take a step back and reconsider his words.

“It was Cardi B who called and just said like, ‘Nah, you crossed the line. You got to go back and fix that ‘cause that wasn’t right. You’re better than that.’ So although nobody was around me at the time I said it or edited it, it went out,” he explained.

Lee continued: “Cardi was able to check me to go back and fix it. And so I looked at it, I’m like, you know, I got five sisters. I probably would have felt some way if somebody did that to my sister. I didn’t need to deliver it that way. So I did go back and apologize.”

Jason Lee didn’t offer up exactly what he was referring to about the “7 Rings” singer, but he’s possibly alluding to a viral clip from early 2019, which found him making extremely offensive comments including comparing her looks to “an underage piece of meat.”

“You chose to be friends with Nicki Minaj and clearly you pick losers,” he said. “And third of all, if I ever see you on an award show opening your legs up during a performance like you Beyoncé — girl you look like R. Kelly’s snacks you need to stop. She looks like an underage piece of meat ready to be p-ssed on by Robert.”

The former Wild ‘N Out star added: “If you’re f—ing Ariana Grande, you want to f–k little kids, for sure. She is not a woman. That is not a woman, that’s a little girl.”

Lee explained that he doesn’t regret his comments, but used them as a learning experience going forward. “Do I regret it? Nah, because I had to go through these experiences to learn the power of my platform, the power of the tongue, being responsible and owning it,” he said. “And that it’s OK to apologize when you cross the line, because people do want to see you’re human and know you’re not just an emotionless tree that don’t care about other people’s feelings… So yeah, I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve learned from them.”

Watch the entire interview below. Find Jason Lee’s comments about Ariana Grande and Cardi B around the six-minute mark.

Spain’s National Court has acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case after eight years, ordering the government to return 60 million euros ($69 million) to the Colombian superstar. According to a judicial document obtained Monday (May 18) by Billboard Español, the court concluded that Shakira did not meet the minimum residency requirement to be taxed in Spain during 2011.

“After more than eight years enduring brutal public accusations and sleepless nights that took a toll on my health and my family’s well-being, the National Court has finally set the record straight,” Shakira said in a statement. “There was never any fraud, and the Administration itself was never able to prove otherwise.”

The case revolved around whether Shakira was obligated to pay taxes in Spain on income generated during her world tour that year, during which she performed 120 concerts in 37 countries. Tax authorities had argued that the artist had spent enough time in Spanish territory to be considered a tax resident, a claim the court ultimately rejected.

The ruling also dismissed the notion that Spain was the main center of her economic activities and ordered the return of 60 million euros withheld, along with interest and legal costs. According to the verdict, Shakira did not meet the minimum stay required to be taxed in Spain during the investigated period.

In the same statement, the singer’s lawyer, José Luis Prada, described the ruling as the end of “an eight-year ordeal” and stated that Shakira “had the strength and resources to see it through to the end” in a process that, he said, “suffocates many anonymous taxpayers who lack the resources to defend themselves.”

The artist added that she hopes the ruling “sets a precedent” for other taxpayers facing similar disputes with Spain’s Tax Agency.

This is not the only case Shakira has faced with the Tax Agency. In November 2023, she reached an agreement with Spanish authorities over a separate case related to the years 2012 to 2014, when she lived in Barcelona with her then-partner, Gerard Piqué. Shakira acknowledged six charges for unpaid taxes, received a suspended three-year sentence, and paid a fine of $7.6 million.

The ruling comes as Shakira prepares to close the European leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in Madrid, where she has already scheduled 12 dates for October at the temporary “Shakira Stadium,” built specifically for the tour’s final stretch. The news also coincides with one of the singer’s most prominent moments on the international stage, following her performance for 2.5 million people at the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro and her upcoming halftime show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final alongside BTS and Madonna.

Madonna and Peggy Gou‘s “I Feel So Free (Peggy Gou Energy Mix)” tops this week’s best new music poll.

Listeners voted in a poll published Friday (May 15) on Billboard, choosing the dancefloor-ready remix as their favorite music release of the week over a stacked field that included Drake’s historic triple album drop and new projects from Maluma, Gracie Abrams, Givēon and more.

The winning single is the latest preview of Madonna’s forthcoming album Confessions II, due July 3 — her first full-length release in seven years and the long-awaited sequel to her landmark 2005 dance record Confessions on a Dance Floor.

The original “I Feel So Free” was co-produced by Stuart Price, who helmed the original Confessions on a Dance Floor and serves as musical director on several of Madonna’s tours. The Peggy Gou remix transforms the track into a bouncy, high-energy club anthem that leans into the Berlin-based DJ and producer’s signature house sound — a natural pairing given Gou’s crossover breakthrough with her 2023 hit “(It Goes Like) Nanana”.

Madonna teased the track during her surprise appearance at Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella weekend two headlining set last month, where the two also performed “Like a Prayer” together and debuted what appeared to be another new track from Confessions II.

The biggest competition in the poll this week came from Drake, who dominated New Music Friday with a sweeping triple album drop — Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour — comprising a combined 43 tracks featuring Future, Molly Santana, Sexyy Red, PARTYNEXTDOOR and 21 Savage.

Maluma also made a strong showing with his new album Loco X Volver, in which the Colombian superstar sharpens his focus on family and his roots.

Gracie Abrams entered the race with “Hit the Wall,” the lead single from her forthcoming album Daughter From Hell, once again joining forces with producer Aaron Dessner for a verbose track that signals a more mature creative chapter. Tove Lo dropped “I’m Your Girl Right?” — the dance-floor-ready first taste of her upcoming Estrus LP — while Rostam and Clairo teamed up on “Hardy” from Rostam’s new American Stories album.

Elsewhere, Jorja Smith delivered the basement club-tinged “What’s Done Is Done,” Shakira and Burna Boy linked up on “Dai Dai,” and Martin Garrix and Ed Sheeran reunited on “Repeat It.” Full projects also arrived from Givēon (Beloved: Act II), Shaggy (Lottery), Kenny Mason (Bulldawg), Mýa (Retrospect), Tone Stith (The Edge), and Tank and the Bangas (The Last Balloon).

See the final results of this week’s poll below.

Take Our Poll

Bulgaria has claimed its first-ever Eurovision Song Contest victory, with pop star Dara taking out the 2026 Grand Final in Vienna on Saturday night (May 17) with “Bangaranga” — a high-energy electronic anthem infused with Bulgarian folk influences that became one of the breakout performances of the competition.

Performing at the iconic Wiener Stadthalle alongside 24 other finalists, Dara’s commanding staging and viral live performance propelled Bulgaria to a historic win, ending years of near misses and intermittent withdrawals from the contest. Israel finished in second place, while Romania rounded out the top three.

Results were determined through a combined vote from national juries and viewers across 35 participating countries.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Delta Goodrem delivered one of the night’s most celebrated performances, finishing fourth with her soaring power ballad “Eclipse” — the country’s strongest Eurovision result in several years.

Her cinematic staging transformed the Wiener Stadthalle from a moonlit dreamscape into a radiant gold sunscape, reflecting the song’s themes of transformation and strength. Goodrem wore a custom couture gown by Velani By Nicky and House of Emmanuele, adorned with more than 7,000 Swarovski crystals.

“Representing Australia on the Eurovision stage and being part of this incredible community has been unforgettable,” Goodrem said in a statement. “I’m so grateful for all the love and support from home and around the world — it has carried me every step of the way. Sharing Eclipse with you at this moment feels perfectly timed, and I’m excited to continue the journey we’ve started together and to share new music with you soon.”

“Eclipse” was written by Goodrem alongside Ferras Alqaisi, Jonas Myrin and Michael Fatkin, with Fatkin also producing. One of Australia’s most accomplished performers, Goodrem has previously written songs for Eurovision winner Celine Dion and collaborated with the late Olivia Newton-John.

The Eurovision campaign serves as the launchpad for a major new chapter in Goodrem’s career. She announced her upcoming eighth studio album Pure, set for release Nov. 6 — her first full-length project in five years. The 16-track record balances piano-led intimacy with widescreen cinematic production across themes of clarity, emotion and renewal. Ahead of its release, Goodrem will preview new material through a series of intimate “Pure: Prelude” performances.

The Grand Final airs in primetime on SBS and SBS On Demand on Sunday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Baker Boy headlined the second night of NBA House Australia on Friday (May 15), closing out the evening session at The Timber Yard in Melbourne with a live performance — marking one of the more unexpected but fitting intersections of Australian music and American basketball culture in recent memory.

The Northern Territory rapper and dancer, whose real name is Danzal Baker, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. as part of the NBA’s inaugural Australian fan experience, which is running across four days from May 14–17 at the Port Melbourne venue.

The 6,000-square-metre space features playoff viewing parties, basketball challenges, an NBA 2K26 gaming zone, streetwear showcases, photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and appearances from NBA players.

Friday’s programming also included appearances from Atlanta Hawks center and Australian NBA representative Jock Landale, who participated in a “Courtside Stories” fan engagement session at 12:30 p.m., and four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, who appeared for crossover appearances in the afternoon before hosting another “Courtside Stories” session and photo opportunities in the evening. The Sacramento Kings Dance Team and Dunk Team also performed across the day.

NBA House Australia is headlined across the weekend by All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cousins, who are appearing across the event for meet-and-greets, fan sessions and scheduled programming.

Jackson Jr. said ahead of the event: “I know Australian fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and I look forward to celebrating the excitement of the NBA Playoffs with them.”

The NBA appearance comes during a strong stretch for Baker Boy. The six-time ARIA Award-winner recently wrapped a 10-date Australian album tour behind his second record DJANDJAY and has been debuting new anthem “CURSE” in his live sets ahead of the forthcoming DJANDJAY (Deluxe), due later this year via Island Records/Universal Music Australia.

“Everyone has been going mad for it,” Baker Boy said of the track. “You know you got something good when people haven’t ever heard the track before, but you can see the whole crowd bouncing to it.”

Written and produced in Melbourne by Baker Boy alongside longtime collaborators Pip Norman (Troye Sivan, Missy Higgins) and Rob Amoruso (G Flip, Thelma Plum), “CURSE” also features acclaimed Toronto-based songwriter and producer WondaGurl (Rihanna, Travis Scott, SZA), who joined the sessions as part of the inaugural ARIA Collab Initiative.