Author: Rap Hooks

Kobie Dee is the headline performer for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026 Grand Final, Australia and New Zealand’s premier soccer league.

When the Sydney artist from Bidjigal Land Maroubra takes his spot during the weekend of May 23/24, it’ll mark his first time performing at a major national sporting event.

Dee is tapped for the big show just days after the release of his new single “Aim For The Stars” (via Bad Apples Music/Island Records Australia), an energetic, anthemic track that was selected as the official sync for the competition’s Finals campaign, the ad for which is currently streaming on Paramount+.

“I want people to hear this song and feel like no dream is too big,” Kobie explains in a statement. “Especially young people coming from the same streets I started in. I want them to believe that they can see themselves in these spaces too. For me, ‘Aiming For The Stars’ means taking Maroubra to the world, not leaving it and just telling stories about it.”

“Aim For The Stars” was written with producer NERVE and collaborators WYES, GENE and SMAK. “When NERVE started the beat, Kobie continues, “I just went straight in with the lyrics. It was one of those moments where everything flowed and I was able to get everything off my mind.” “We dominate in sport,” he adds, “but we’re also incredibly creative. There’s so much talent in our communities that could have gone into music or sport.”

Kobie enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, when he was nominated for the inaugural NSW Music Prize (for “Chapter 26”); performed on stage at the ARIA Awards with Young Franco, Baker Boy, Anna Ryan and Touch Sensitive; and founded Twenny47 Studios, a creative space in the heart of his community dedicated to supporting and mentoring emerging First Nations artists.

The rising hip-hop artist’s career streams top 80 million; he has landed slots at such festivals as Splendour in the Grass, Listen Out, and Spilt Milk; and collaborated with such brands as Lacoste and GQ.

The location of the A-League final is still to be decided. Tickets will be available from 4pm AEST next Monday, May 18. The official music video for “Aim For The Stars” will drop later this month.

Jack Johnson has announced a six-date Australian and New Zealand tour this November, joined for the first time by Ben Harper and John Butler as special guests performing solo and acoustic.

The SURFILMUSIC 2026 Australia & New Zealand Tour opens at Brisbane’s Riverstage on Nov. 7 before heading to Kings Park & Botanic Gardens in Perth (Nov. 10), The Domain in Sydney (Nov. 14), Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne (Nov. 17), Spark Arena in Auckland (Nov. 20) and closing at Waipara Winehouse in North Canterbury, New Zealand on Nov. 22.

Artist presale runs May 7-8, with Mastercard presale from May 8-12. General on-sale opens Tuesday, May 12 at 2 p.m. local time.

The tour marks Johnson’s first return to Australia and New Zealand since 2022 and celebrates the release of the SURFILMUSIC documentary soundtrack, scored by Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez, due May 15.

The documentary — which premiered at SXSW in March — traces Johnson’s journey from surfer to filmmaker to musician, from his youth on the north shore of Hawaii through the making of his iconic surf films Thicker Than Water (1999) and The September Sessions (2000).

Johnson will perform alongside his long-time bandmates Adam Topol, Merlo Podlewski and Zach Gill, with fans able to expect classics including “Better Together,” “Flake,” “Inaudible Melodies,” “Taylor” and “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” alongside new material from the soundtrack.

The addition of Harper and Butler makes for a particularly loaded bill. Harper is a three-time Grammy Award winner whose catalogue includes “Burn One Down,” “Steal My Kisses” and “Diamonds on the Inside” — he has sold more than 16 million records worldwide across 18 studio albums. Butler, one of Australia’s most enduring independent artists, brings more than 25 years of hits including “Zebra,” “Better Than” and the instrumental epic “Ocean.”

Indigenous artist Emily Wurramara will perform at the Sydney show only. The tour is presented by Live Nation in partnership with Double J for Australian dates.

Johnson has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide across eight studio albums. Since 2001, proceeds from his albums and tours have resulted in more than $40 million donated to environmental, art and music education charities through the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation and the Johnson ʻOhana Foundation, which he founded with his wife Kim.

Jack Johnson SURFILMUSIC AU/NZ Tour Dates

Nov. 7 — Brisbane, Australia @ Riverstage
Nov. 10 — Perth, Australia @ Kings Park & Botanic Gardens
Nov. 14 — Sydney, Australia @ The Domain
Nov. 17 — Melbourne, Australia @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Nov. 20 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena
Nov. 22 — North Canterbury, New Zealand @ Waipara Winehouse

Maren Morris is weighing in on the current wave of women dominating country music, and she has nothing but praise for her peers.

Speaking with hosts Mack and Jen on SiriusXM Hits 1, Morris singled out Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney as artists exciting her right now.

“I’m so excited that they’re all crushing it,” Morris said, “because for a very long time it was pretty sparse having women dominate the charts and awards and just be paid what they’re worth. It’s amazing to see that tide turning and them all just having this huge moment right now simultaneously without competition.”

Morris was equally effusive about the songwriters behind the records, noting her personal connections to many of them.

“I’m friends with a lot of them and I’m super proud that they’re on these big projects,” she said. “The songwriting is just getting so good and that always makes me excited to continue writing.” She added: “It’s just nice to know right now that there’s so much quality music happening. I love that country is having a moment — it’s always to me been a global genre.”

The comments come at a significant moment for women in country. Wilson took home four CMA Awards in 2023 and has since become one of the genre’s biggest live draws. Moroney’s debut Tennessee Orange reached the top five of the Billboard 200, while Langley scored her first No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Riley Green.

The three artists represent a broader shift in a genre that has historically struggled to give women equal footing on radio and at awards shows.

The comments come at a significant moment for women in country. Wilson took home four CMA Awards in 2023 and has since become one of the genre’s biggest live draws. Moroney’s debut Tennessee Orange reached the top five of the Billboard 200, while Langley scored her first No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Riley Green.

The three artists represent a broader shift in a genre that has historically struggled to give women equal footing on radio and at awards shows.

Morris herself has long been among country’s most outspoken advocates for that change, having publicly addressed industry pay disparities and the underrepresentation of women on country radio throughout her career. Her 2019 single “The Bones” spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart — a record at the time for a female solo artist — and her album Girl won Best Country Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Her 2016 debut Hero produced the top five country hit “My Church” and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

Morris released her most recent studio album, Intermission, in 2023. The full interview with Mack and Jen airs on SiriusXM Hits 1, channel 2, Monday through Friday at noon ET.

Post Malone will headline Australia’s Strummingbird festival this October, the touring country event’s organizers announced Tuesday.

The Grammy-nominated artist tops a lineup that also includes Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Cam, Sons of the East and a substantial supporting cast of international and Australian country acts across three dates in Ballarat, Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast.

Presented by Kicks Entertainment, Strummingbird 2026 will play Victoria Park in Ballarat on Oct. 10, Newcastle Foreshore on Oct. 17 and Kawana Sports Precinct on the Sunshine Coast on Oct. 18. Presale tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 13, with general admission on sale Thursday, May 14 via strummingbird.com.au.

Malone’s headlining slot follows the release of his country crossover album F-1 Trillion, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and featured collaborations with Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll. The appearance follows recent performances at Coachella and Stagecoach Festival, marking his return to Australia three years after a sold-out run at Splendour in the Grass.

Zimmerman, one of country’s fastest-rising acts, joins as second-billed headliner behind a breakout run that includes his debut album Religiously. The Album. and its 2025 follow-up Different Night Same Rodeo, which featured a collaboration with Luke Combs. His cover of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” at Stagecoach earlier this year became a viral moment. Cooper Alan, the North Carolina singer known for “Plead the Fifth” and “Take Forever (Hally’s Song),” rounds out the top-tier international bookings.

The wider lineup includes LA-based country act Stella Lefty, Texan outfit Dexter & The Moonrocks, Cowboy Carter songwriter Cam, Cigarettes @ Sunset, CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2025 alumna Kaitlin Butts, rising Californian Noah Rinker and Brad Cox.

Australian contingent includes Sydney’s Sons of the East, back-to-back CMAA Female Artist of the Year Max Jackson, Central Queensland cattle station turned global streaming sensation Mack Geiger, Brisbane native and 2026 Countrytown Breakthrough Artist of the Year nominee Briana Dinsdale, and Sara Berki. Country DJ Willie Pake will headline late-night sets across all three stops, with line dancing sessions led by Maddison Glover.

Local artists Lewis Love (Ballarat), Gamilaraay artist Loren Ryan (Newcastle) and Sammy White (Sunshine Coast) will each perform at their respective hometown dates.

Malone first crossed into country territory with F-1 Trillion, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2024 and produced the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen. The album marked a significant commercial and artistic pivot for the artist, who had previously dominated the Hot 100 across pop and hip-hop with hits including “Sunflower,” “Rockstar” and “Circles.”

The Eagles have added more 2026 dates to their Sphere residency, extending their run as the artist with the most dates at the Las Vegas immersive venue to 64.

The new dates extend their run into the fall: Sept. 18-19, Nov. 13-14 and Nov. 27-28.

The most recent shows had ended April 10 and 11. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees had previously announced 12 shows for this year: Jan. 23-24, Jan. 30-31, Feb. 20-21, Feb. 27-28, March 20-21 and March 27-28.

Artist presale registration is available now. The  presale begins May 15 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets start at $175 and include all taxes and fees.

The group includes Don Henley, the only original remaining who co-founded the band with the late Glenn Frey in 1971, as well as guitarists Joe Walsh and Vince Gill, bassist Timothy B. Schmit and Frey’s son Deacon.

The Eagles’ Sphere stint started in September 2024, and the band added dates a handful at a time, setting the record for the most shows with the announcement of the February dates in October at 52. The previous record belonged to Dead & Co. at 48 shows.

Billboard praised the Eagles show, writing after the Sept. 20, 2024, opening: “For more than 50 years, the Eagles have been painting vivid pictures with their music, from the dark desert highway of ‘Hotel California’ to the billion stars all around of ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ to the cold, cold city of ‘Life in the Fast Lane.’ On Friday night, those images came to intense life at Las Vegas’ Sphere, where the technology of 2024 finally caught up to the band’s enduring artistry and created a technicolor display worthy of their classic, illustrative songs from the 1970s and beyond.”

The 2026 Met Gala has come to an end, and the stars really showed out on the red carpet (which was not actually red). Before we put fashion’s biggest behind us and start speculating on next year’s theme, let’s take a look at some of the best outfits worn on Monday (May 4).

Helmed by co-chairs Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, Anna Wintour and Beyoncé—who made her first appearance at the annual event in 10 years—the 2026 Met Gala was all about the intersection of fashion and art, embodying the Met’s Costume Institute’s spring exhibition “Costume Art” and its celebration of diverse bodies.

“Pairings between fashions and artworks will present a spectrum of connections and experiences: from the formal to the conceptual, the aesthetic to the political, the individual to the universal, the illustrative to the symbolic, and the playful to the profound,” reads a description of the exhibit on the Met’s website.

To complement the exhibit, this year’s Met Gala dress code was “Fashion Is Art,” a theme that left much room for interpretation. And interpret the stars did. With such an open-ended concept to play with, attendees experimented with color, texture, references, inspiration and more. No two looks were the same, unlike in previous years. Although not every look was memorable, there were certainly some red carpet showstoppers worth writing home about. In particular, 10 looks sported by musicians caught Billboard’s attention more than others. (Though many other artists wore incredible looks, too, which you can check out here.)

From SZA’s upcycled couture to Bad Bunny’s senior citizen cosplay to Beyoncé’s show-stopping grand return to the Met Gala, here are Billboard’s top 2026 Met Gala looks.