Author: Rap Hooks

Billy Strings paid tribute to his mother during a concert in Kentucky, just hours after learning of her passing.

Early in his sold-out show at Lexington’s Rupp Arena on Friday (June 20), the 32-year-old bluegrass star told the audience that his mother, Debra Apostal, had died in her sleep following his hometown performance at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in Lansing, Michigan, the day before.

“After our set we drove through the night and I finally fell asleep when we got parked here in Lexington, probably about 5:40 this morning or so,” Strings told the audience, holding only a microphone. “I might have got three hours of sleep and I was in a deep sleep. My wife woke me up this morning and told me that my beautiful mother, Debra Apostal, passed away in her sleep.”

Strings, visibly fighting back emotion, recalled wandering through Lexington in the early morning hours, seeking solace.

“I just put my shoes on and started walking,” he said. “I walked until I saw this old country church and it was like a beacon, and I went there and knocked on the door and this kind lady let me in and she stayed with me and prayed with me for a while, and eventually gave me a ride back to where I was staying.”

Despite the devastating news, Strings made the decision to move forward with the show, saying it’s what his mother would have wanted.

“It was my decision to carry on with tonight’s show because that’s what my mom would have wanted me to do,” he said, as the crowd responded with supportive cheers. “She really loved this group of people. She loved you all so much and for the last couple of years were some of her happiest because of a lot of you folks right here. You all became some of our best friends, and I really want to thank you for that. The reason I decided not to go home and be with my family right now is because I already am.”

With his head bowed, Strings promised the crowd he’d do his best to get through the performance. He then asked, “So please, instead of a moment of silence, can you please make as much noise right now for my mom?”

After the emotional speech, Strings welcomed his band to the stage and opened the set with a powerful rendition of “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages.” He went on to deliver a two-and-a-half-hour performance featuring a mix of originals and covers, including songs by The Beatles and Pearl Jam.

Just a day earlier, Strings had performed alongside his father, fellow bluegrass musician Terry Barber, at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival. Apostal did not attend that show and passed away in the early morning hours of June 20, according to the Lansing State Journal.

Strings is scheduled to continue his tour with concerts in Australia and New Zealand in July, followed by a run of U.S. dates beginning in August.

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem rules the Billboard 200 albums chart for a fifth consecutive, and total, week, as the set holds atop the chart dated June 28. The album earned 186,000 equivalent album units in the United States in the tracking week ending June 19 (down 11%), according to Luminate. The album debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated May 31.

With 186,000 units earned, Problem lands the largest fifth week for an album since Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department earned 378,000 in its fifth week (June 1, 2024-dated chart).

Problem is also the first album to spend its first five weeks at No. 1 since Poets perched in the top slot for its first 12 weeks at No. 1 (in May-July of 2024), of its total 17 weeks at No. 1. Problem is the first album by a man to spend five weeks at No. 1 (in total, or, from its debut) since Wallen’s last album, One Thing at a Time, spent its first 12 weeks at No. 1 (in March-June of 2023), of its total 19 weeks at No. 1.

Also in the top 10 of the latest Billboard 200, ATEEZ notch their seventh top 10 with the No. 2 debut of GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3, Lil Tecca scores his highest charting album yet with the No. 3 launch of DOPAMINE, and Brandon Lake earns his first top 10 with the No. 7 bow of King of Hearts.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new June 28, 2025-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on June 25. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

Of I’m the Problem’s 186,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending June 19, SEA units comprise 176,000 (down 11%, equaling 229.99 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs — it leads Top Streaming Albums for a fifth week), album sales comprise 9,000 (down 12% — it rises 9-7 on Top Album Sales) and TEA units comprise 1,000 (down 6%).

ATEEZ achieve their seventh top 10 album on the Billboard 200, as GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 debuts at No. 2 with 105,000 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, album sales comprise 101,500 (it debuts at No. 1 on Top Album Sales), SEA units comprise 3,000 (equaling 4.07 million on-demand official streams of the set’s five songs) and TEA units comprise 500 units.

GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 was available in its first week across 12 CD editions, all with the same audio but with packaging variations. Some editions were signed, and all contained collectible paper ephemera, some randomized.

At No. 3 on the Billboard 200, Lil Tecca scores his highest-charting album ever, and fifth top 10, as DOPAMINE debuts with 48,000 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, SEA units comprise 45,000 (equaling 65.31 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs — it debuts at No. 2 on Top Streaming Albums), album sales comprise 3,000 and TEA units comprise a negligible sum.

Lil Tecca had previously gone as high as No. 4 with We Love You Tecca in 2019.

DOPAMINE was issued as a standard 17-song album via streaming services, and was available to buy as a download, CD and in five deluxe CD boxed sets (each containing a branded T-shirt and a copy of the album on CD). All of the CD iterations were exclusively sold via the artist’s official webstore. In the midst of its first week, the album was reissued with four bonus tracks, and that iteration was exclusively sold as a download in his webstore.

DOPAMINE was preceded by two Billboard Hot 100-charting songs: “Dark Thoughts” (which hit No. 28 in April) and “Owa Owa” (No. 50 earlier this month). The former marked the second top 40-charting song for the rapper, and first since “Ran$om” hit No. 4 in 2019.

A trio of former No. 1s is next on the Billboard 200, as SZA’s SOS rises 5-4 (nearly 48,000 equivalent album units; up 9%), Wallen’s One Thing at a Time climbs 8-5 (40,000; up 3%), and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet steps 7-6 (39,000; down 3%).

Brandon Lake notches his first top 10 album on the Billboard 200 — and first top 40-charting set — as his new project, King of Hearts, bows at No. 7 with 37,500 equivalent album units earned. He charted just one album previously, with the No. 135-peaking Coat of Many Colors in 2023. The new album boasts his first Hot 100 hit, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which reached No. 40 on the May 3, 2025, chart. The track has also logged 22 weeks atop the Hot Christian Songs chart, through the most recently published chart, dated June 21. Lake has placed a total of 43 entries on that chart since his debut on the list in 2019, including six No. 1s.

King of Hearts earned 37,500 units in its first week (Lake’s best week by units earned). Of that sum, album sales comprise 20,000 (his best sales week ever — it debuts at No. 3 on Top Album Sales), SEA units comprise 16,500 (equaling 22.06 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs — it debuts at No. 30 on Top Streaming Albums) and TEA units comprise 1,000.

King of Hearts additionally logs the largest week, by units, for a Christian music-genre album in three-and-a-half years, since Ye’s Donda earned 38,000 units on the Oct. 16, 2021-dated chart. King of Hearts is the highest-charting Christian music album — and first top 10 — since for KING + COUNTRY’s What Are We Waiting For? debuted and peaked at No. 7 on the March 26, 2022-dated chart. (Christian music albums are defined as those that are eligible for, or have charted on, Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart.)

King of Hearts was issued as a standard 16-song album (via streamers, as a widely available digital download album and on CD and vinyl). He also sold a signed CD via his webstore and Walmart carried a version of the album on CD with a bonus track. During the album’s first week, it was issued in a deluxe edition, widely via streamers and digital download services, which added eight bonus tracks.

Closing out the top 10 of the latest Billboard 200 are Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping GNX (rising 10-8 with 34,000 equivalent album units earned; down 6%), Wallen’s former leader Dangerous: The Double Album (bumping 13-9 with 32,000; up 6%) and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U (11-10 with 30,500; down 7%).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

Cavin Yarbrough, half of the 1980s R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, has died at the age of 72.

The singer-musician-producer passed away on Thursday (June 19) owing to complications from heart disease. “He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he’s my guardian angel,” Yarbrough’s wife and longtime music partner, Alisa Peoples, said in a statement.

Yarbrough & Peoples are best known for their crossover dance/funk hit “Don’t Stop the Music.” Released in 1980, the song spent five weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in 1981 and also reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The RIAA gold-certified single was featured on the pair’s also gold-certified debut album, The Two of Us. The album also reached No. 1 for two weeks on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 16 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

The duo went on to score another Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with “Don’t Waste Your Time” in 1984. Its engaging mix of R&B, soul, funk, pop and dance — graced by its smooth and spirited vocals — also sparked three additional top 10s on the chart during the pair’s ’80s heyday: “Heartbeats,” “Guilty” and “I Wouldn’t Lie.”

Born in Dallas, Yarbrough was a classically trained pianist who first met fellow Dallas native Peoples as youngsters taking piano lessons. The pair’s friendship and creative bond later led to establishing their own band. It was Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band who discovered Yarbrough & Peoples. He brought them to the attention of Lonnie Simmons, who signed them to his Los Angeles-based label, Total Experience Records.

“Cavin was not only an extraordinary talent, but a kind man with a great heart,” said longtime friend Michele Elyzabeth, who also served as Yarbrough & Peoples’ PR representative for more than 40 years. “His legacy will live on in the music, in our memories and in the hearts of everyone who knew him.”

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Are you looking for a fun activity to do with family or friends? Don’t underestimate the power of a karaoke night. Searching for an effective karaoke machine can be tough, but once you find everything you need in one, you can’t go back.

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This karaoke machine is so versatile, you can even host a dance party. Enjoy its LED lights and let the colorful dance party begin from the comfort of your own home to an outdoor birthday party.

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With the ability to adjust your mic levels, volume, and echo separately, you’ll get full control. According to the brand, you’ll also have access to magic voice effects and the ability to “remove and restore vocals freely.” The effects include: monster voice, female voice, baby voice, original voice and karaoke voice.

And of course, mini karaoke machines are a TikTok favorite. Videos of music fans belting out their favorite songs — either in their cars, or at home — have wracked up millions of views.

Based on Amazon reviews, customers enjoy that the JYX Mini Karaoke Machine is easy and fun to use. Another user expressed that this purchase was a “hit” for their kids.

Although it’s a mini karaoke machine don’t underestimate it, based on the brand, it has HIFI sound quality (aka high clarity) and 3D surround sound. All you need to do is select your favorite song and start singing. “The sound is incredible. I did not think an item this small would sound so good,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

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Pete Townshend has a simple description of The Who’s turbulent split with longtime drummer Zak Starkey: “It’s a mess.”

In a new interview with i Paper, the legendary guitarist and songwriter opened up about the chaotic sequence of events earlier this year involving Starkey’s firing, rehiring and eventual departure. Starkey, a veteran session and touring drummer, had been part of The Who’s lineup for nearly 30 years.

“I will miss Zak terribly. But quite what the story is, I don’t f—king know. I really don’t know,” Townsend admitted.

The confusion began in April when Townshend and The Who frontman Roger Daltrey made a “collective decision” to part ways with Starkey, who is the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Days later, Townshend reversed course, stating Starkey was “not being asked” to step down. But just a month later, Townshend again changed his stance, saying, “The time has come for a change,” signaling the end of their long-running collaboration.

Shortly after, Starkey offered his own version of events, claiming he hadn’t been “fired” but had instead “retired to work [on] my own projects” ahead of The Who’s The Song Is Over farewell tour.

The fallout appears to have been sparked by a misstep during the band’s charity performances for the Teenage Cancer Trust at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.

“[Daltrey] came in four bars early,” Starkey told Rolling Stone in June. “But he just got lost. He blamed it on the drums being too loud, and then it got made into this huge social media thing.”

In his interview with i Paper, Townshend addressed the same performance.

“I couldn’t see anything wrong. What you see is a band who haven’t played together for a long time. But I think it was probably to do with the sound. I’ve lost my sound man as a result,” the iconic musician said.

He continued, “I think Roger just got lost. Roger’s finding it difficult. I have to be careful what I say about Roger because he gets angry if I say anything about him at all. He’ll be sacking me next. But that’s not to say that he sacked Zak. It’s a decision Roger and I tried to make together, but it kind of got out of hand.”

Despite the turmoil, Starkey says he would return to The Who if asked.

“Of course I would,” he told Rolling Stone. “I said to Pete, ‘Thirty years. In the 30 years, you put the bar so f—kin’ high. What the f—k do I do now?,’” he said. “The Who, you just don’t know what’s going to happen. If you think something is going to happen, the opposite happens. If you second guess Pete, he will play the opposite. You have to go with whatever you’re doing, and not think.”

Patrick Walden, former guitarist for the British rock band Babyshambles, has died at the age of 46.

The band, fronted by Pete Doherty, announced Walden’s passing in a social media post on Friday (June 20). A cause of death was not disclosed.

“It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of Patrick Walden’s death,” the band wrote on Instagram. “We feel very fortunate to have known/loved and worked with him and we kindly ask for respect and privacy during these difficult times.”

The statement was signed by Doherty and fellow band members Mick Whitnall, Drew McConnell and Adam Ficek.

Babyshambles was formed in 2003 by Doherty after his departure from The Libertines due to substance abuse issues. Walden, a London native, joined as lead guitarist, alongside McConnell on bass and Gemma Clarke on drums.

In addition to his guitar work, Walden co-wrote several songs on Babyshambles’ 2005 debut album, Down in Albion, including “Pipedown,” “Loyalty Song” and “F—k Forever,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart.

Before joining Babyshambles, Walden played in various bands including Fluid, the Six Cold Thousand and the White Sport. His time with Babyshambles was brief, ending in 2005 amid struggles with drug addiction and a legal case involving his girlfriend that resulted in a brief jail sentence. The charges were later dropped.

Walden was replaced by Whitnall for the band’s sophomore album, Shotter’s Nation, which dropped in 2007. Though he never officially rejoined the group, Walden occasionally performed with Babyshambles at select shows over the years. The band has reunited sporadically during Doherty’s solo performances.

Doherty had previously hinted at a potential reunion tour to mark the 20th anniversary of Down in Albion, though it was unclear whether Walden was expected to be involved.

“It is on the cards,” Doherty told NME in December 2024. “We will get back together and get in a room with the instruments and play through the old songs, then get on stage and do it. But it’s the ‘who’ and the ‘when’ that needs to be worked out. I think we’ll just keep that one on the horizon and deal with that one next year. Before then, I’ve got a new collection of songs which I’m putting out on my own label, which is tidy.”