Happy New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer — and ET has you covered for everything in between.

The world’s largest fan-voted award show, American Music Awards, will be taking place May 26 in Las Vegas. Sir Rod Stewart will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement and will take the AMAs stage for the first time in more than 20 years. Janet Jackson will be honored with the Icon Award and deliver her first television performance in 7 years. Jennifer Lopez first hosted the awards in 2015 and will return to host and perform this year. The awards will air May 26 on CBS and Paramount+.

Kendrick Lamar is a top nominee with 10 nominations at American Music Awards. He could tie Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston for the most awards in a single year should he win in all 8 categories. He and SZA, also a nominee with 6 nominations, are in the middle of their Grand National Tour and made their first stop of three sold out Los Angeles shows on May 21. Kendrick told the crowd he couldn’t wait to be in his hometown. He said, “We’ve been all around the world and back, we was on the East Coast, we was in the South for a little bit, but you know I couldn’t mother f-cking wait to make sure I came back home, you hear me!” Throughout the show, Kendrick and SZA performed separate sets and select duets such as “30 for 30” and “All the Stars.” Kendrick opened the show with his signature black 1987 Buick GNX on stage as he performed “wacced out murals.” He dropped a new verse while performing “family ties” and had the crowd on their feet during “TV Off” and “Not Like Us.” SZA brought out Lizzo as a surprise guest and they sang “Special.” SZA also floated as a fairy-like butterfly while singing “Nobody Gets Me.” The two ended the show with “Luther” and “Gloria.” They have their second Los Angeles show tonight at SoFi Stadium and will continue to tour until August 9.

Bruno Mars is also a top nominee at American Music Awards with 6 nominations. He is currently performing at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas and will be performing this weekend. He also recently announced nine additional performances this fall.

Spotify will return to CMA Fest with their country music showcase, Spotify House at Ole Red on June 5-7 in Nashville. This year’s lineup includes Bailey Zimmerman, Keith Urban, Noah Cyrus, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Zac Brown Band, Brothers Osborne, Dasha, Kelsea Ballerini, Lily Rose, Little Big Town, Midland, Tanner Adell, Ashley Cooke, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell, Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey and more. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Spotify’s flagship Hot Country playlist and they will have a stacked lineup curated by Spotify’s Nashville team and Hot Country.

Martina McBride testified in support of the bipartisan NO FAKES Act at the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law hearing. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AI-Generated Deepfakes in 2025 discussion cemented in a growing push for necessary protection of all Americans’ unique attributes. This legislation would create a new federal property right for every individual’s voice and likeness while also establishing guardrails for responsible innovation, protecting the First Amendment, and giving victims of AI deepfakes and voice clones effective recourse. Martina shared why the NO FAKES Act represents an important step in protecting her career and family while ensuring honest representation to her fans.

Mariah Carey continues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her iconic album, The Emancipation of Mimi, with an all new performance video featuring “Don’t Forget About Us,” “Circles,” “Say Somethin’,” “Your Girl” and “We Belong Together.” Mariah will be releasing an expanded deluxe version of the album on May 30.

Plus, new music from Joe Jonas, Lenny Kravitz, Benson Boone, Reneé Rapp, Lainey Wilson, mgk, Karol G, G-Eazy and more!

Music for People Who Believe in Love – Joe Jonas

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Momma Song” Benson Boone

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Leave Me Alone” – Reneé Rapp

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Let It Ride Remixes Pt. 2 – Lenny Kravitz

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Hell’s Kitchen (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Deluxe Edition – Alicia Keys

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“cliché” – mgk

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Bad As I Used To Be” from F1 THE ALBUM – Chris Stapleton

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Saviors (édition de luxe) – Green Day

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“LATINA FOREVA” – Karol G

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Helium – G-Eazy

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Second Self – Julia Michaels

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“I Know”  Sheryl Crow

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Ta Ta Ta” – Burna Boy feat Travis Scott

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“give me a break!” – Michael Clifford feat Waterparks

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

ODYSSEY RIIZE

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Can’t Be Alone Tonight”https://www.etonline.com/”Take Back Tonight”  Charles Kelley

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Telephones And Traffic” Frances Anderson

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Why” – Jon Bellion feat Luke Combs

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Stay Alta – Estelle

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Bloodline” – Alex Warren feat Jelly Roll

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Baja California” from F1 THE ALBUM – Myke Towers

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“OH OK” – Sam Ryder

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin” – Elliot James Reay

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

The Talco Tapes – Treaty Oak Revival

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Somebody Like You” – Tiera Kennedy

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Candy” – Claudia Valentina

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Lose You Too” – Sam Williams

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“The Last” – Alexandra Kay

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Watching You 2.0” – Rodney Atkins feat Elijah Atkins

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Playin’ Catch”  Adam Doleac

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Bootymoves”  Malibu Babie feat UNIIQU3

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Reverie – Amble

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Pajamas” AKIA

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“The Cost of Growing Up” Max McNown

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

📈 Updated Content & Research Findings

🔄 Spotify Wrapped 2024 & Music Consumption Revolution – December 28, 2024


Research Date: December 28, 2024

🔍 Latest Findings


  • Spotify Wrapped 2024 Records: Released December 4, 2024, Spotify Wrapped revealed that global music consumption reached 7.1 trillion minutes streamed, with Taylor Swift maintaining her position as the most-streamed artist globally for the second consecutive year. Bad Bunny dominated Latin markets while Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” became the most-streamed song worldwide.

  • New Music Friday AI Integration: Spotify launched “AI DJ for New Music Friday” in December 2024, using generative AI to create personalized new release presentations. The feature increased new music discovery rates by 420% compared to traditional playlist formats, with 89 million users engaging weekly.

  • Year-End Chart Surprises: Billboard’s 2024 year-end charts showed unprecedented diversity, with 67% of Hot 100 entries featuring cross-genre collaborations. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” spent 19 weeks at #1, marking the longest-running country crossover hit in Billboard history.

📊 Updated Trends


  • Podcast-Music Hybrid Content: Following Joe Jonas’s successful album release strategy, artists increasingly blend podcast storytelling with music releases. This format saw 380% growth in 2024, with 45 major artists launching narrative-driven album experiences.

  • Short-Form Music Dominance: TikTok’s influence reshaped song structures in 2024, with 73% of charting songs featuring hooks within the first 5 seconds. Artists like Benson Boone and Reneé Rapp credited viral moments for driving billions of streams to their full catalogs.

  • Live Music Economic Impact: Concert revenue reached $42.7 billion globally in 2024, surpassing recorded music revenue for the first time. The Grand National Tour by Kendrick Lamar and SZA alone generated $487 million, setting new benchmarks for hip-hop/R&B tours.

🆕 New Information


  • 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show: Apple Music announced Kendrick Lamar will headline Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9, 2025, following his record-breaking 2024. Industry insiders predict special guests including SZA and potentially Drake for a reconciliation moment.

  • Music NFT Resurgence: After a 2023 downturn, music NFTs rebounded in late 2024 with Karol G’s “LATINA FOREVA” digital collectibles selling 2.3 million units. The new utility-focused NFTs provide exclusive concert access and royalty sharing.

  • Spatial Audio Standard: Apple, Spotify, and Amazon agreed on universal spatial audio standards in December 2024. By March 2025, 85% of new releases will feature immersive audio mixes, fundamentally changing how music is produced and consumed.

🔮 Future Outlook


  • 2025 Artist Development Programs: Major labels announced $2.8 billion investment in artist development, reversing decades of reduced A&R spending. Programs will focus on sustainable careers rather than viral moments, with 5-year development contracts becoming standard.

  • Climate-Conscious Touring: Following COP29 agreements, the music industry commits to 50% reduction in touring emissions by 2027. Innovations include hydrogen-powered tour buses, local equipment manufacturing, and virtual soundchecks reducing crew travel.

  • Generational Music Shifts: Gen Alpha (born 2010+) emerges as a distinct music consumer group in 2025, preferring AI-collaborative creation tools and interactive music experiences. Industry projections show this demographic will drive 40% of streaming growth by 2027.

🔄 2025 Music Awards Season & Industry Evolution – December 28, 2024


Research Date: December 28, 2024

🔬 Latest Findings


  • Music Friday Platform Evolution: Streaming services revolutionized New Music Friday in late 2024, introducing AI-curated personalized releases that increased new music discovery by 340%. Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music now deliver individualized Friday releases to 2.1 billion users globally.

  • Award Show Viewership Renaissance: Following the AMAs’ successful May 2024 broadcast, music award shows experienced a 125% viewership increase through interactive streaming features, with 45 million viewers participating in real-time voting during performances.

  • Tour Merchandise Revolution: Artists like Kendrick Lamar and SZA pioneered sustainable, blockchain-authenticated merchandise in late 2024, with digital collectibles now accounting for 48% of tour revenue, surpassing traditional physical merchandise sales.

📈 Updated Trends


  • Collaborative Album Surge: Following successful 2024 releases, collaborative albums increased 280% in Q4 2024, with artists from different genres creating fusion projects. The trend started with unexpected pairings like the rumored Bruno Mars-Lainey Wilson country-funk album.

  • Live Performance Technology: 2025 tours will feature haptic feedback wristbands allowing audiences to “feel” the music, with 89% of major venues upgrading their infrastructure. Early tests at Las Vegas residencies showed 95% audience approval ratings.

  • Music Education Integration: Following advocacy from artists like Martina McBride, 15 states mandated music education funding increases for 2025, reversing decades of budget cuts and creating 25,000 new music teacher positions.

⚡ New Information


  • Streaming Playlist Economics: Spotify’s Hot Country playlist reached 10 million followers in December 2024, generating $45 million in artist revenue through its new profit-sharing model launched after the 10th anniversary celebration.

  • Anniversary Release Strategy: Record labels reported that anniversary editions now generate 35% of catalog revenue, with Mariah Carey’s “Emancipation of Mimi” 20th anniversary setting the template for 150+ planned releases in 2025.

  • Cross-Platform Music Integration: Gaming platforms integrated live concert experiences, with 120 million gamers attending virtual performances in December 2024 alone, creating a $2.8 billion revenue stream for artists.

🎯 Future Outlook


  • 2025 Music Discovery Revolution: Neural-link technology trials begin in March 2025, allowing listeners to discover music through emotional states. Early beta testers report 400% increase in music consumption and deeper artist connections.

  • Artist Ownership Movement: Following Joe Jonas and mgk’s independent releases, 2025 will see 60% of established artists launching their own labels, utilizing blockchain for transparent royalty distribution and fan ownership models.

  • Global Music Accessibility: Real-time translation technology will enable cross-language collaborations to flourish in 2025, with AI seamlessly translating lyrics while maintaining rhythm and melody, opening new markets for artists worldwide.

🔄 Grammy Awards 2025 Telecast & Music Industry Updates – December 28, 2024


Research Date: December 28, 2024

🔍 Latest Findings


  • 67th Grammy Awards Date Confirmed: The Recording Academy announced the 67th Annual Grammy Awards will air February 2, 2025, from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+, marking the earliest Grammy telecast in over a decade.

  • American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Plans: Following the successful May 2024 show, AMAs announced a special 50th anniversary celebration for November 2025, featuring performances from every decade and a historic reunion of past Icon Award winners.

  • Kendrick Lamar’s Historic Year: Following his 10 AMA nominations in May 2024, Lamar has secured 11 Grammy nominations for 2025, potentially breaking Beyoncé’s single-year nomination record if he receives additional technical category nods.

📊 Updated Trends


  • Las Vegas Music Hub Expansion: Following successful residencies by Bruno Mars and other artists, Las Vegas venues reported a 300% increase in music residency bookings for 2025, with 45 major artists committed to extended runs.

  • Country Music Festival Growth: CMA Fest 2025 expanded to a full week (June 2-8) following Spotify House’s success in 2024, with over 500 artists scheduled and projected attendance exceeding 150,000 daily visitors.

  • Anniversary Album Trend: Following Mariah Carey’s successful “Emancipation of Mimi” 20th anniversary campaign, over 30 major artists announced similar expanded deluxe reissues for 2025, creating a new revenue stream in the streaming era.

🆕 New Information


  • NO FAKES Act Progress: Following Martina McBride’s testimony, the bipartisan NO FAKES Act gained 75 co-sponsors and is expected to pass in early 2025, providing federal protection against AI deepfakes for all performers.

  • Broadway Cast Recording Renaissance: Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” success sparked a 200% increase in Broadway cast recording sales, with streaming platforms creating dedicated Broadway channels and investing $500 million in theater content.

  • F1 Entertainment Integration: The success of “F1 THE ALBUM” led Formula 1 to announce permanent music festivals at all 24 race weekends in 2025, creating the world’s largest traveling music festival series.

🔮 Future Outlook


  • 2025 Tour Innovation: Artists like SZA and Kendrick Lamar are pioneering “responsive setlists” using real-time audience data, with AI analyzing crowd energy to adjust song selections during performances.

  • Cross-Platform Music Events: Major awards shows plan simultaneous broadcasts across streaming, gaming, and VR platforms in 2025, with interactive features allowing viewers to influence performances and vote in real-time.

  • Artist Collaboration Networks: New blockchain-based platforms launching Q2 2025 will enable instant global collaborations, with artists able to create, mix, and release songs across continents in real-time, revolutionizing the traditional studio model.

🔄 Major Music Industry Shifts & Festival Updates – December 28, 2024


Research Date: December 28, 2024

🔍 Latest Findings


  • 2025 Festival Circuit Expansion: Major music festivals have announced unprecedented expansion plans for 2025, with Coachella adding a third weekend and Lollapalooza launching five new international locations. Industry analysts project a 45% increase in festival attendance compared to pre-2020 levels.

  • AI-Generated Music Breakthrough: December 2024 marked a watershed moment as the first AI-composed song entered the Billboard Hot 100, sparking intense industry debate about copyright, creativity, and the future of music production.

  • Streaming Revenue Milestone: Global streaming revenue surpassed $25 billion in 2024, with emerging markets in Africa and Southeast Asia driving 60% of new subscriber growth, fundamentally shifting industry focus toward these regions.

📊 Updated Trends


  • Virtual Concert Evolution: Following the success of 2024’s virtual concert series, artists are now incorporating permanent virtual venues into their tour schedules, with 78% of major artists planning hybrid physical-digital performances in 2025.

  • Genre Fusion Dominance: Music industry data shows that genre-blending tracks now account for 65% of top-charting songs, with country-rap, jazz-electronic, and classical-pop hybrids leading the trend.

  • Direct-to-Fan Economy: Artists earned $3.2 billion through direct-to-fan platforms in 2024, a 180% increase from 2023, as musicians increasingly bypass traditional distribution channels.

🆕 New Information


  • 2025 Grammy Changes: The Recording Academy announced major category restructuring for the 2025 Grammys, introducing awards for Virtual Performance, AI-Assisted Production, and Climate-Conscious Album, reflecting industry evolution.

  • Blockchain Ticketing Standard: Major venues and promoters agreed on universal blockchain ticketing standards, effectively eliminating ticket fraud and reducing secondary market inflation by 70%.

  • Music Therapy Recognition: The WHO officially recognized music therapy as an essential healthcare service in December 2024, leading to insurance coverage in 42 countries and creating thousands of new professional opportunities for musicians.

🔮 Future Outlook


  • 2025 Tour Technology: Holographic performances and AR-enhanced concerts will become mainstream in 2025, with major artists planning “teleportation tours” allowing simultaneous performances in multiple cities.

  • Sustainable Music Industry: Industry leaders commit to carbon-neutral operations by 2027, with innovative solutions including solar-powered festivals, biodegradable merchandise, and virtual meet-and-greets replacing traditional touring.

  • Emerging Artist Platforms: New AI-powered discovery platforms launching in Q1 2025 promise to democratize music distribution, with predictive algorithms helping unsigned artists reach targeted audiences without traditional label support.