Category: Music

As music streaming gains popularity in emerging markets, the growth of on-demand audio streaming in the U.S. continues to lag the rest of the world.

In the first half of 2025, growth of U.S. on-demand audio streams slowed to 4.6% from 8.0% in the prior-year period, according to Luminate’s mid-year report released Wednesday (July 16). Outside of the U.S., streaming is growing twice as fast as in the U.S., although the pace there also slowed considerably. The rest of the world’s on-demand audio streams were up 12.6% to 1.8 trillion streams, which was down from the prior-year period’s approximately 18.3% gain.

The differences in growth rates help explain why music companies are expanding to emerging markets. Mature markets will continue to grow with the help of higher subscription prices, but companies are attracted to the potential of fast-growing markets such as China, India, Thailand and Brazil. At the beginning of the decade, major labels were investing in tech startups in Western markets; now their M&A strategy focuses on capturing growth elsewhere in the world.

That the U.S. has a slower streaming growth rate than the rest of the world doesn’t come as a surprise. The U.S., as well as Western Europe and Australia, were early adopters of music streaming platforms, and global streaming services didn’t initially target populous countries such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines. As these and other emerging markets play catch-up, the U.S. accounts for a diminishing share of streams worldwide. In the first half of 2025, the U.S. accounted for 28% of on-demand audio streams, down from 29% and 31% in the two previous mid-year periods.

While Luminate doesn’t track albums globally, the mid-year report also showed that U.S. album sales fell 6.0% to 41.0 million. Physical album sales slipped 3.2%, more than a six percentage-point turnaround from the 3.8% gain a year earlier, while digital album sales fell 17.7% to 6.8 million, more than seven percentage points worse than the 10.3% decline, to 8.3 million units, they suffered in the first half of 2024.

Total U.S. album consumption — a combination of streams and sales of tracks and albums — was up 3.9% to 558.9 million album units, which was down from the 7.4% increase in album consumption at the midpoint of 2024. 

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.

After eight memorable seasons of TV, the fan-favorite drama Tyler Perry’s Sistas returns for season nine on Wednesday (July 16).

The new season pushes its sister’s circle further than ever before with new love triangles, twists and turns, and savage revelations. The first episode of the new season is titled “No Time To Wait” and it broadcasts on cable network BET. It’s available to access with a subscription to Philo, which is free to watch with a seven-day free trial.

When Does ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Start?

Tyler Perry’s Sistas broadcasts starting on Wednesday (July 16) with a start time of 9 p.m. ET/PT. Each episode is 42 minutes long, while new episodes drop every Wednesday.

Where to Watch ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Online

Tyler Perry’s Sistas airs on BET. It’s available to stream on Philo. Keep reading for more details on how cord-cutters can watch the new spinoff series of reality TV online with Philo.

How to Watch ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ with Philo

A subscription to Philo — which comes with BET — gets you access to live TV from cable channels for just $28 per month.

In fact, you can watch more than 70 cable networks, such as AMC, A&E, Animal Planet, BBC America, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, EarthX, Food Network, Game Show Network, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History Channel, Investigation Discovery, IFC, Lifetime, Logo, MotorTrends, Nickelodeon, OWN, Paramount Network, Pop TV, Revolt, Smithsonian Channel, Sundance TV, TLC, UPtv, Vice, We TV and many others.

Music fans will love that Philo also includes networks, like AXS TV, Fandor, CMT, MTV, MTV Classic, VH1 and more.

In addition, AMC+ is available on Philo. The premium streaming service comes with Philo Core for free, so you can get even more movies and TV shows to watch when you signup. AMC+ is the home to programming, like Better Call Saul, Gangs of London, Interview with the Vampire, Show Me More, Deadstream and more.

The TV drama stars KJ Smith, Mignon, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, Crystal Renee Hayslett, Angela Beyince, Devale Ellis, Chido Nwokocha, Brian Jordan Jr., Kevin A. Walton and others.

Starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Tyler Perry’s Sistas season nine premieres on Wednesday (July 16) on BET. The TV drama is available to stream on Philo with the service’s seven-day free trial. In the meantime, watch a brief preview of season nine, below:

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

Russell Wilson’s daughter didn’t need to look to the western sky on her birthday to find Cynthia Erivo — she simply had to accept a FaceTime call from the Wicked star.

While guesting on The Tonight Show on Tuesday (July 15), the football player had nothing but kind words for the singer-actress after revealing that Erivo had called into his 8-year-old little girl’s Wicked-themed birthday party. Wilson shares Sienna with Ciara, along with 11-year-old stepson Future Wilburn, 5-year-old son Win and 1-year-old daughter Amora.

“We have the coolest birthday parties,” Wilson told host Jimmy Fallon, sharing photos of himself dressed as Wicked‘s Fiyero and Sienna painted green like Elphaba.

Noting that his oldest daughter is Wicked-obsessed, the New York Giants star went on to say that Erivo is “the best.”

“She’s awesome, because she had no problem hopping on the FaceTime,” Wilson continued. “Ciara and her are really, really close. It was cool, ’cause Sienna was like, ‘Um, can you sing to me now?’ And she just hopped right into song. It was a good birthday, for sure.”

The athlete also took a moment to gush about Sienna. “I’m telling you guys, she’s probably going to run for president one day,” the proud dad told Fallon’s audience. “She is a boss lady. She runs the show — Ciara runs the show, and [Sienna] gets it from her momma.”

Sienna is just one of countless young fans who love Wicked, which premiered last November. As of late May, it had grossed $755.9 million worldwide, more than any other film adaptation of a Broadway musical. The movie’s sequel, Wicked: For Good, will hit theaters in November.

Of all the hype the Wicked duology has generated so far, Erivo recently told Billboard Pride Editor Stephen Daw in her June cover story, “It’s insane … and it’s insane while it’s happening, too.”

“She’s able to access her rage more,” she continued at the time of how her character evolves in the second film. “The scent I wore changed. The makeup changed. Little shifts that bring you to a more mature version of who Elphaba becomes. And she is delicious in this next one.”

Watch Wilson’s full Tonight Show interview above.

It goes without saying that Bruce Springsteen is one of the most iconic and successful touring acts in history. So it’s noteworthy that more than 50 years deep into his career, his recent 2023-25 tour, which wrapped on July 3 in Italy, was his biggest ever, without qualification.

After 129 shows, the Springsteen and E Street Band 2023-25 Tour grossed $729.7 million and sold 4.9 million tickets, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. Any way you slice the data, it’s the biggest of his career.

At $729.7 million, this is the highest-grossing tour of Springsteen’s career, two times over. His previous best was the Wrecking Ball World Tour, which grossed $347 million in 2012-13. The Rising Tour (2002-03), The Magic Tour (2007-08) and The River Tour (2016-17) each grossed more than $200 million.

Perhaps it’s not shocking for a vital rock icon to outgross his earlier tours, considering the industry-wide surge in ticket prices, especially post-pandemic. But while Springsteen’s average price is up 29% ($149.30) from The River Tour ($115.52), that increase from 2016 to 2025 is well below the typical uptick for other arena and stadium acts, legacy or contemporary.

Beyond the market-level rise in demand, Springsteen sold more tickets than ever before. The 2023-25 tour closed with 4.9 million tickets, handily outdoing the Wrecking Ball World Tour’s 3.6 million by 37%. The Rising Tour is next, at 3.2 million. (Boxscore reporting formalized in the mid-late 1980s, and some of Springsteen’s tours in the ’70s and ’80s may be underreported.)

The 2023-25 tour is also Springsteen’s longest tour yet. With 129 shows over the course of nearly two and a half years, he beats the Wrecking Ball World Tour’s 125, The Rising Tour’s 104 and Magic Tour’s 100.

But Springsteen’s stamina did not make his recent triumph inevitable. On a nightly basis, he posted the best gross and sales of his career, at $5.7 million (The River Tour paced $3.4 million per show) and 37,900 tickets (The Rising Tour averaged 30,300) per show. Based on gross, attendance, and number of shows, in terms of pure volume and each night, these are the best Boxscore results of Springsteen’s career.

It’s not just a high mark among The Boss’s own touring history; it’s one of the biggest of all time. With reports for the trek’s final leg in Europe, The Springsteen and E Street Band 2023-25 Tour is now one of the 10 highest grossing tours in history. It’s only the seventh to gross over $700 million, among others by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and U2.

Springsteen and The E Street Band played four legs of shows in the United States and Canada, and three in Europe. Though he’s an American icon with deep associations with his home state of New Jersey, Europe delivered the lion’s share of the tour’s overall gross. The split of shows was relatively even (69 in Europe vs. 60 in North America), but the exclusive stadium routing in the former tipped the scales against the mix of stadiums and arenas stateside. Ultimately, the three European legs combined to $472.7 million, or 65% of the tour’s total earnings.

This is in keeping with Springsteen’s previous tours. Over his career, he’s grossed more than $1 billion in each continent, but slightly more in Europe ($1.1 billion vs. $1.07 billion) despite far fewer reported shows (283 vs. 695). He’s played stadiums there since the 2008 leg of Magic Tour, while he’s continued to include arenas in his North American routing.

Combining Springsteen’s solo tours with his work alongside the E Street Band, he has grossed nearly $2.3 billion from 22.6 million tickets sold across 1,028 shows, dating back to sparse reporting from 1976’s Born to Run Tour. He’s only the fifth artist to cross the $2 billion threshold.

The Boy is Mine Tour — the first ever co-headlining tour by R&B legends Brandy and Monica — has helped the Black Promoters Collective (BPC) reach more than $100 million in projected sales for the first half of 2025, the company announced Wednesday (July 16).

The milestone for the nation’s largest Black-owned live entertainment company is powered by several blockbuster tours, including The Boy Is Mine, a 24-city co-headlining arena run featuring Kelly Rowland, Muni Long and American Idol winner Jamal Roberts.

“We’re building a movement rooted in authenticity and excellence,” said Shelby Joyner, president of BPC, in a statement. “The Boy Is Mine is the latest proof of how powerful our culture is when it’s centered, protected, and celebrated.”

Other success stories for BPC include Miami’s Jazz in the Garden series, which drew an audience of more than 35,000 attendees and included performances by Lauryn Hill, New Edition, Toni Braxton, Busta Rhymes, Coco Jones and YG Marley.

BPC also launched the Hampton Jazz and Music Festival at Hampton Coliseum in Virginia, featuring Anthony Hamilton, Keith Sweat, Lucky Daye and SWV.

“Our expansion into the festival space is a natural evolution of our mission to create unforgettable cultural experiences at scale,” added BPC chief executive Gary Guidry. “From Jazz in the Gardens to Hampton to the Rock The Bells Festival, we’re building platforms that celebrate Black excellence and drive real economic impact.”

Other success stories for BPC include The Queens Tour uniting musical legends Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills and Chaka Khan. It also co-produced the Hot 97 Summer Jam in New York, with surprise performances by Meek Mill, a tribute to Irv Gotti by Ja Rule and Friends, and headline sets from GloRilla, Gunna and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. In addition to Hot 97, BPC also promoted LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Festival, which included the return of Capone-N-Noreaga and the first-ever Uptown Records Reunion.

“Our marketing approach is rooted in precision and purpose. We’ve demonstrated that when campaigns center on cultural authenticity, they not only drive ticket sales but also foster brand affinity and measurable community impact,” added Troy Brown, chief marketing officer of BPC. “The first half of 2025 is proof that brands who align with culture-forward experiences gain more than impressions; they gain trust.”

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.

The best pants for men aren’t just for dressy occasions, but made to be a versatile staple in your closet. When buying a great pair of pants, you should be looking for bottoms that can take you from the office, to happy hour, to golfing with bro’s, to running around town with ease. After testing out Vuori’s flagship Meta Pant, I haven’t been able to find anything that measures up to its level of durability and functionality. They not only look great, but feel great for whatever adventures the day may bring.

The Vuori Meta 5-Pocket Pant features a sleek moisture wicking, performance 4-way stretch woven fabric that’s design keeps you feeling comfortable with all day movement. With summer fast approaching and as a crazy person who prefers pants over shorts, even when it’s scorching hot out, these breathable bottoms are a great all-around option for the warmer months ahead. The price is on the higher end relative to the market but there’s a level of quality in terms of its impressive technical stretch fabric, features and comfort that make the cost worth it.

Shop the Meta Pant Relaxed Fit, At a Glance:

RELAXED FIT

Vuori Meta 5-Pocket Pant

$128

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Pros: Multiple color and style options to shop your preferred style. Moisture-wicking stretch fabric that provides quick dry and odor-resistant functionality and all-day comfort. A hidden, zippered back pocket for holding valuables.

Cons: The Relaxed Fit falls slightly more on the slimmer side than some would want in a loose fit pant.

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The Meta Pant fits true to size and now comes in a variety of tailored, modern cut options including a Slim, Classic, and Relaxed Fit. For a more trendy, loose-fit style, I recommend the Relaxed Fit as the best option here, which is offered in a 30-inch and 32-inch inseam. While they still run on the slimmer side, Vuori’s recent expansion of the Meta Pant silhouettes offers greater inclusivity for body types and styling. The Meta Pant Relaxed Fit is also offered in multiple colorways: black, charcoal, ink, which is a navy blue hue, and a dark oregano olive green. 

Testing

My first major test with Vuori bottoms was on a grueling day of travel from New York City to Koh Samui, Thailand. I usually opt for sweatpants on long flights, but decided to bust out the Meta Pant for a seven-hour flight to London, a thirteen-hour flight to Singapore, and lastly, a 2 hour flight to Koh Samui. Thanks to the Meta pants’ superior technical, stretch fabric”, it made sitting for long hours with little legroom more feasible. The breathable fabric responds well to the typical temperature fluctuations you might experience when hustling to your Airport gate at the last minute or speeding through the stratosphere at 30,000 feet. After a long day of traveling, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of travel odors. Compared to your run-of-the-mill jeans or chinos, the Meta Pants are considerably more functional.

Also, an added bonus for my fellow travelers, the hidden, zippered back pocket is a great extra layer of security for valuables, which I appreciate when traveling. Tuck your wallet, keys, or ID in the pocket for safe keeping and never worry about something important slipping out accidentally.

I’ve also tested the Meta Pant on commutes to work, running around the city completing errands, coffee runs, casual bike rides, happy hour with friends, and even getting caught in random rain showers. The quick-drying fabric really shined here, completely drying my pants in about 20-minutes or so. Similar to my airplane test, these pants flexed its durability, flexible fabric, and all day comfort in each of these scenarios. They are designed with everything guys want in an all-around pants: functionality, comfortable fit, and easy to style.

The slightly more slimmer design might not be for everyone, but thanks to the three fit options and 3 inseam options, there is something for every body type. They are also offered in numerous sleek, sophisticated colors for a more elevated look. Dress them down for an everyday casual outfit with a simple t-shirt, or pair them with a collared shirt and a shirt jacket for a more formal look.

Final Thoughts

For $128, there are so many great functional benefits to adding these pants to your outfit rotation, and with its impressive fabrication, it can withstand the hustle and bustle of everyday active life without having to wash them all the time. After rigorous testing, Vuori’s Meta 5-Pocket Pant are the most comfortable pants I have put on in years and are a great menswear staple to build a wardrobe around and to take on the go.

RELAXED FIT

Vuori Meta 5-Pocket Pant

$128

Buy Now on vuori

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