Robbie Williams will perform at this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Day — Australia’s premier horse racing event — on Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Victoria Racing Club announced, giving the British star a warmup slot days ahead of his Australian arena tour.
Williams will headline the Elms Live Stage at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse after the day’s final race, then deliver a second performance in the mounting yard as part of the Nine Network broadcast, immediately before the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy presentation. The VRC is billing the mounting yard set as the biggest pre-Cup performance ever staged at the venue. Both appearances are included in the price of general admission.
“Australia, I’m coming in hot. Lexus Melbourne Cup Day will be my first stop before the Britpop Australian tour, and I’m ready to make it unforgettable,” Williams said in a statement. “Expect big songs, big energy and a massive celebration after the race that stops the nation.” VRC chief executive Kylie Rogers called it “the perfect way to celebrate the prestige and significance of Lexus Melbourne Cup Day,” noting it marks Williams’ first performance at Flemington.
The Cup Day date lands during a career-defining run for Williams. His 13th studio album, Britpop, arrived via Columbia Records in January — released three weeks ahead of schedule in a surprise drop timed to avoid competing with Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. The gambit paid off: Britpop debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart, giving Williams his 16th career chart-topper there and making him the outright record-holder for the most No. 1 albums in the chart’s history, surpassing the Beatles’ longstanding mark of 15. The album, featuring guest turns from Chris Martin, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and Mexican duo Jesse & Joy, drew some of Williams’ strongest reviews in years.
Williams’ Australian and New Zealand dates are part of his Britpop Tour, a stadium run marking his first tour of mainly outdoor venues since 2017’s Heavy Entertainment Show Tour. The Australian leg will feature support from Manchester’s The Lottery Winners and Melbourne artist G Flip, with Wellington group Drax Project joining for the New Zealand shows.
Melbourne Cup Carnival runs across four days this year: Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, Oct. 31, Cup Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday, Nov. 5, and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, Nov. 7, when Australian DJ FISHER performs. Additional Carnival entertainment is expected to be announced.
Jorja Smith will return to Australia in November 2027 for a three-date arena and amphitheater run, her first visit to the country since 2024.
The East Coast tour opens at Brisbane’s Riverstage on Saturday, Nov. 6, continues at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday, Nov. 9, and closes at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 13. Fans who purchase What Are the Odds through Smith’s website get early ticket access starting Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 12 p.m. AEST, followed by a Handsome Tours presale Thursday, Aug. 27 and general sale Friday, Aug. 28.
The dates follow the Wednesday (Aug. 21) release of What Are the Odds, Smith’s third studio album and her first as a fully independent artist, released via FAMM/The Orchard. Produced entirely by longtime collaborator P2J, the 12-track record marks a full pivot toward dance music, moving through U.K. garage, grime, 2-step, funky house and Afro house. “This album came together really naturally,” Smith told Billboard ahead of release. “There was never a big plan; it was just me making music that felt right in the moment. Working with P2J, we started experimenting with different sounds, pulling from U.K. garage, grime and house, and it all grew from there.”
Smith released the album the same night she co-headlined London’s All Points East with Tems, and Australian audiences will hear tracks including “What’s Done Is Done,” “Alive” — featuring Wizkid — and “I Lied, You Lied” live for the first time.
The tour caps a milestone year for the Walsall-born singer. Smith marked the 10th anniversary of her breakout debut single “Blue Lights” in 2026, opened six stadium dates for Harry Styles in Mexico City, and appeared as a musical guest on the debut season of Saturday Night Live UK. Her catalog carries real chart weight in her home market: 2018 debut Lost & Found reached No. 3 on the U.K. Albums Chart and earned her the Brit Critics’ Choice Award, while 2019 brought a Grammy nomination for best new artist and the Brit Award for British female solo artist. Follow-up Falling or Flying (2023) also hit No. 3 in the U.K.
Smith last toured Australia in October 2024 on her Falling or Flying run, playing a sold-out arena show in Melbourne, a stacked Adelaide date and a sold-out Sydney close, plus a set at Promiseland Festival. She made her Australian debut in 2019.
Jorja Smith’s 2027 Australian tour dates:
Saturday, Nov. 6 — Riverstage, Brisbane
Tuesday, Nov. 9 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Saturday, Nov. 13 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
The first week of the Tupac Shakur murder trial featured dramatic opening statements, heated testimony from a former Bloods gang member, and infamous recordings in which defendant Duane “Keffe D” Davis candidly discussed the shooting with police detectives.
You’re reading Billboard’s weekly Tupac trial recap, a one-sheet breakdown of everything that happened in the epic murder case over the past week. Stay tuned here each Friday for all the testimony and big events you might have missed.
As the trial kicked off Monday (Aug. 17) with opening statements, prosecutors told jurors that Davis had orchestrated the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed Tupac as “an act of revenge” after Shakur beat up his nephew. And, as expected, they leaned heavily on statements from the man himself – both in an interview with police and a 2019 tell-all memoir.
“Let’s be clear: Duane Davis did not pull the trigger,” prosecutor Binu Palal told jurors. “You will learn that when the opportunity presented itself for retribution, Duane Davis made sure that the shooters were armed and ready to execute their revenge. And remarkably, you will learn that from Duane Davis himself.”
In his own opener, defense attorney Michael W. Sanft said his client’s statements about he shooting had been fiction and that there was not hard evidence to corroborate them. At one point, he loaded a presentation screen for jurors that just read “Bulls–t” in white text. “Keffe D was known to do this,” the attorney told the jurors, pointing to the card.
After opening statements, jurors immediately began hearing witness testimony – first from Garry Dale, a Las Vegas police officer who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting and rode in the ambulance with Shakur. Dale told jurors that he tried to convince the rapper to say who did it, but that Shakur merely repeated “We’ll take care of it” several times: “I couldn’t get him to talk to me any further than that.”
Testimony on Tuesday included Reggie Wright Jr., a former head of security at Suge Knight’s Death Row Records, and James McDonald, a former Bloods gang member also linked to Knight. At one point, McDonald sparred with Sanft, suggesting he was hurting Davis’ case. “Talk to your lawyer, man,” McDonald said directly to Davis, before saying to Sanft: “I’m not finna send him to prison. You are!”
On Thursday and Friday, jurors heard a key piece of evidence: audio recordings of meetings in 2008 and 2009 in which Davis discussed the shooting with police detectives. At the time, the investigators told him that “nothing you say today can be used against you,” but the judge overseeing the current case later ruled that Davis waived that immunity by talking about the same events in public.
In the tapes, jurors heard Davis tell detectives that his nephew Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson – the man beaten by Tupac earlier in the night – had fired the shots that killed Shakur. Also in the recordings, Davis suggested that Sean “Diddy” Combs, then known as “Puffy,” was involved in conversations about the killing.
There’s been a long-simmering conspiracy theory that Combs ordered a hit on Shakur as part of the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry between his Bad Boy Records and Death Row. Combs has consistently denied any involvement in Shakur’s death; after a recent Netflix docuseries advanced the theory, attorneys for the now-imprisoned mogul sent a legal threat calling the project a “shameful hit piece.”
Testimony was also heard Friday from Leonard Jefferson, who took the last-ever photo of Shakur riding in a car with Knight before the shooting that night in Las Vegas. “I said, ‘Ay, what up, Pac?’” testified Jefferson of seeing the duo while stopped at a traffic light before grabbing a 35 millimeter camera out of his central console and snapping the famous picture.
Davis’ trial is set to resume on Monday and run for several more weeks.
The Game says he didn’t diss anybody on his new project.
The West Coast rapper just dropped The Documentary III, his 11th solo album, and fans feel like he took shots at fellow Compton MC Kendrick Lamar multiple times. He even has Drake featured on a hook. However, The Game denies these claims — although he seemingly mentions Lamar and alludes to Dot’s beef with Drake multiple times on the project.
Instagram page @obzervetv reposted a rant from user @tyleravilez in which he criticizes Game for “dissing” Kendrick because they’re both from the same city and that he should be taking on more of an “elder” role at this point in his career. “As an L.A. native, we’re supposed to be sticking together, we’re supposed to be showing that we are a unit, and that if you mess with one of us, you mess with all us, and yet you dissin’ one of our own,” he said. “It doesn’t make any sense, bro. Wrap it up.”
He added: “At this point in time, you’re supposed to be an elder. You are supposed to helping the youth. Giving people opportunity, so they can get in the rap game and flourish.”
The Game then hopped in @obzervetv‘s comments and said he didn’t diss Kendrick at all. “Ain’t diss nobody on that song loud fa nuthin ahhhh [ninja emoji],” he wrote in a comment that has been pinned.
For what it’s worth, on the song “Geezus,” The Game raps, “I say Drake the homie, y’all say it’s treason/ I can’t believe it/ Want me to pick sides while y’all d–kride/ When you’re from the west side you ain’t gotta pick sides…/ I draw led, erase you n—as/ Put that on God, it’s me against all odds/ I’ll pop the steering column on the GNX and wait for n—as.” Then, on “No Brakes” featuring Drake, he mentions picking sides again when he raps, “Me, Drake and a Draco, we the Three Amigos/ N—a said pick a side, then I’m picking homicide,” in reference to the Toronto rapper and Kendrick’s battle in 2024. On “LA Monster,” he alludes to Lamar’s “Boogeyman” moniker and again mentions GNX, the title of Lamar’s 2024-released best rap album Grammy winner. “I ain’t got no problem with the boogeyman/ And he ain’t got a problem with me/ ‘Cause I’ma LA Monster,” he raps and later spits, “I might drive the Rose today/ The GNX scare the hoes away/ ‘Cause I’ma LA Monster.”
Finally, on the track titled “The Pen,” he brings Kendrick up again, but this time, he acknowledges the speculation that he’s been throwing shots and says that he hasn’t been. “Like Dr. Dre on the beat/ Yeah, I’m back with that sound/ They say I’m beefing with Kendrick/ How the f— do that sound?” The Game raps, ” ‘Cause I’m feeling like 50 when he made ‘Back Down’/ They say 50 made me, tell him make me again/ I kick myself out the group and make them hate me again.”
According to fellow West coast rapper Stat Quo, this all stems from The Game bringing out Drake to Compton to film the music video for their 2015 song “100.” But Stat alleges The Game didn’t take issue with Kendrick working with his old label boss-turned-rival 50 Cent when he made an appearance on Power, so there shouldn’t be any animosity between the two Compton rappers.
Go stream The Documentary III and hear for yourself.
Not sure if you peeped, but it looks like Brooklyn rapper Fivio Foreign may be pivoting to Christian rap.
He recently sat down with The Shade Room and was asked why he’s changing the content of his rap music after going viral earlier this week when a clip of his new music surfaced. “Sometimes in life…I feel like…you gotta listen to that voice that’s talking to you,” he explained. “I feel like everybody is spiritual, everybody know who God is, right? And they pray a couple times, but you gotta actually do something for God. I mean, you’ve got to actually put in a little pain for God. I’m not a person that gotta learn the hard way, feel me? I just know when it’s time to get right.”
However, he doesn’t feel like he’s making gospel music exactly. “When people used to asked me if I was a drill artist, it was hard for to answer it,” he said after being asked if he sees himself as a gospel artist now. “So, as far as me being a gospel artist, this is the first time somebody asked me that question, I don’t feel like I’m a gospel artist and I really don’t feel like I’m doing gospel music, I just name it gospel music because I know what that means. But I feel like it’s just music from my heart. I got all types of beats on it. So, I don’t know what’s a real gospel beat, but the album got different styles of music where I’m praising God.”
Adding, “I don’t want to put it in a category. I’m just Fivi and I’m just trying to praise God through my music and not worship the devil through my music, push a positive image and change, you know, hopefully I get a blessing from God.”
He also said that he would like to eventually collaborate with gospel acts Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin in the future.
Fivio flirted with Christian rap on Ye’s (formerly Kanye West) 2021 Donda album on the song “Off the Grid” where he delivered one of the project’s standout verses.
You can watch the interview below.
Drake continues to rule streaming. After being crowned Spotify’s most-streamed artist in Canada last year, the streaming service has released its Global Impact List for the first half of 2026, revealing the 50 most-played songs by Canadian artists outside of their home country. To no one’s surprise, the Toronto rapper has 40 of the 50 spots, including the top 12.
Thanks to the rapper’s historic Iceman release — which included a triple-album drop with Maid of Honour and Habibti — Drake commands a whopping 80% of the list, led by his chart-topping hit, “Janice SFTU,” which the streaming platform already tapped as one of its song-of-the-summer contenders. It’s followed by “National Treasures,” “Shabang,” “Whisper My Name” and “Ran To Atlanta,” featuring Future and Molly Santana, to round out the top 5. He wraps up the list, too, with “Rust Intro” at No. 50.
The remaining artists on the list boast a diverse lineup of homegrown acts, spanning genres including country, indie rock, Punjabi, hip-hop and electronic.
Cameron Whitcomb is the highest-ranking act after Drake, landing at No. 13 with his viral track “Kingdom of Fear,” another track that the streaming service listed as a song-of-the-summer contender. It has become a big moment for the B.C. artist, securing his first top 3 hit on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart dated Aug. 22. Whitcomb earns a second entry on the Spotify list at No. 49 with “You and Me.”
In recent years, the growing influence of Punjabi-Canadian artists on the world stage has become a major force. While the second half of 2025’s list featured multiple tracks by Karan Aujla and Ikky, they’re passing the torch to Shubh, who claims two entries on the 2026 list. He arrives at No. 23 with “Moves” and “Bounce” at No. 35. It’s a welcome return for the Punjabi-Canadian act, who was on Spotify’s first-ever Global Impact List in 2025.
Viral act bbno$ lands at No. 41 with “diamonds are forever.” It’s been a year of transformation for the Vancouver-based artist, born Alex Gumuchian, who has found success with his independent project over the past couple of years.
At No. 43, viral Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine makes their first and only appearance on the list with “Fabienk,” arguably the group’s biggest hit from their album, Vol. II. The buzzy math rock group has made a global breakthrough with their polka-dot ensembles and unique sound.
Rounding out the list is what Spotify calls “a diverse cross-section of Canadian talent,” including: Toronto indie-rockers Good Kid with “Cicada” (No. 29), producer Murda Beatz’s Prospa-featuring track “Baby” (No. 33), Korean-Canadian rapper OXYNOVA’s “SSSAK” (No. 34) and Vancouver-based producer Asad Khan’s remix “Piya Ghar Aaya” (No. 39).
Read more here. — H.T.S.
Montreal’s LASSO Festival Grows Rapidly Alongside Canada’s Country Music Scene
It’s not every day that Montreal’s public transit is filled with cowboy hats, Canadian tuxedos and Western belt buckles. Now, that’s a yearly mid-August tradition for country music lovers as LASSO celebrates its fifth edition.
The large-scale country music festival, co-produced by Evenko and Live Nation, welcomed over 43,000 fans this year on August 15 and 16. The lineup featured headliners Thomas Rhett and Mumford & Sons, along with established country acts like Carly Pearce, The Band Perry, Old Dominion and Jon Pardi and rising Canadian stars like Cameron Whitcomb, Morgan Griffiths and Noah Brigden.
Nick Farkas, Evenko’s senior vice-president of booking, concerts and events, says it’s a rapidly growing success story that has grown faster than other major festivals like Osheaga (which he co-founded).
“Five years in, where this festival is at, for me, is just fantastic,” Farkas says. “We were not this far along on any festival we’ve ever done. It’s a ton of fun to work on it.”
The festival’s growth fits into a bigger trend of country music throughout the music landscape. Recently, the genre has surpassed hip-hop and pop as the most successful genre at the top of the charts.
This week, the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 features a rare sweep of country songs comprising the top four slots, with Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” at No. 1, Stella Lefty’s “Boston” at No. 2, Cameron Whitcomb’s “Kingdom of Fear” at No. 3 and Morgan Wallen’s “Been By Now” at No. 4.
That potential was first bubbling when LASSO began five years ago, but it was unforeseen in Canada just five years before that.
“We had one arena country show every few years,” Farkas explains. “[The scene] was non-existent, and we had no country radio, so it was not on anyone’s radar. We started seeing a shift when we booked a show with Luke Bryan in 2016 and it sold out the Bell Centre in like a day. We were like, “Holy crap, that’s, there’s something going on here with some of this newer country stuff.”
Evenko later rolled the dice with a large-scale festival, combining the rising global appeal of country music with the Quebec and Canadian scene, giving local country musicians a global stage and spotlight that didn’t previously exist in the metropolis.
This year, Lasso saw a record 30% turnout from outside Quebec, a “huge win,” per Farkas, that has cemented the festival’s nationwide and international reputation.
Read more here. — Richard Trapunski & Stefano Rebuli
Drake Celebrates the Opening of History Ottawa: ‘I Will Be There to Drop Off My Personal Touch’
History Ottawa is officially open.
The city’s newest music hub is the first expansion of the popular five-year-old Toronto music venue co-owned by Drake and Live Nation. In celebration of its public opening, the homegrown rapper took to social media to express his excitement.
Drake hints that there could be more expansions coming while thanking Live Nation “for giving me the continued trust on a journey that I hope is shared with every city and country worldwide” and teases an in-person experience in Ottawa, revealing that he “will be there to drop off my personal touch to Ottawa soon.”
The 2,000-person venue will welcome dozens of international artists to the country’s capital, cementing the nation’s capital as a music hub outside of the bigger ones in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Artists slated to perform at the venue include: Two Door Cinema Club, Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade, Owen Riegling, Jamie Fine and Thundercat, among others.
Read more here. — Heather Taylor-Singh
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Daisy Chain Fields may be a one-day event, but the outfit possibilities are endless. Olivia Rodrigo’s inaugural festival arrives Saturday, Aug. 29, at Great Park in Irvine, California, bringing together Stevie Nicks, KATSEYE, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Garbage, Bikini Kill, The Breeders and more for a cross-generational lineup. Tickets sold out in roughly 30 minutes, with an option to join a waitlist on the official website. But if you were one of the lucky ones to snag a pass, it’s officially time to figure out what to wear.
The festival’s name suggests a sunny palette and floral touches, but the music stretches from ’90s punk and alternative rock to contemporary pop, hip-hop and Y2K-leaning sounds. That leaves plenty of room for boho, punk and ’00s indie looks. California heat is another factor, with Los Angeles hitting the low 90s this week, so breathable pieces are key. Comfortable flats or boots make sense for grass and pavement, though a platform boot with a Stevie Nicks spirit can work. We’ve rounded up the fashion inspiration to help you build the look, including Depop’s dedicated Daisy Chain Fields festival edits spanning ’10s alt-pop, ’00s indie, ’90s punk and ’70s folk.
This fairycore pink peplum dress screams the 2010s and is breathable and lightweight for a full day in the California sun. This Depop seller is also known to ship within two days. Shop more of Depop’s ’10s Alt-pop edits.
This pre-loved rocker vest includes hand-sewn patches and studs, featuring bands like The Addicts, Anti-Flag, Lower Class Brats, The Casualties, Negative Approach and more. The seller can ship in two days. Shop more of Depop’s ’90s Punk edits.
This airy pink, floral top is just what Olivia Rodrigo expects to see on the grounds of her festival named after a flower. The seller of this pre-loved halter neck typically ships within two days. Shop more of Depop’s ’10s Alt-pop edits.
A staple in every Y2K wardrobe, this spaghetti-strap, green cami has never been worn and can be shipped within two days. Shop more of Depop’s ’00s Indie edits.
This faux fur vest is made from vegan materials and comes with a front zipper and stretchy fabric at the back. The shipper can dispatch the item in two days. Shop more of Depop’s ’00s Indie edits.
If you plan to see Garbage, The Breeders or Bikini Kill, this red and black tartan corset is for you. The seller of this pre-worn top typically ships items within three days of purchase. Shop more of Depop’s ’90s Punk edits.
’70S BOHO
Valabasas Men’s Multi-Pattern Floral Gilet
Size XXL
Selling in excellent condition.
A truly unique item of clothing, this Valabasas patchwork vest has the floral components for Rodrigo’s festival and the funky patterns popular in ’70s boho fashion. Get it shipped within three days of purchase from this seller. Shop more of Depop’s ’70s Folk edits.
This never-before-worn two-piece halter top and skirt is just the type of thing we’d see if we traveled back to the ’70s, and the most appropriate ‘fit to wear when seeing Stevie Nicks at the Daisy Chain Fields festival. Shop more of Depop’s ’70s Folk edits.
STEVIE NICKS-ESQUE
UGG Women’s Tan and Brown Boots
Size U.S. 6
Real leather in excellent condition.
Speaking of the Fleetwood Mac crooner, these brown suede leather boots with wooden heels are giving major Stevie Nicks vibes from her early career in the ’70s. Since these boots have block heels, we think they’re just the right pair you can get away with wearing on the lawns of Daisy Chain Fields. Order now to guarantee shipping in two days. Shop more of Depop’s ’70s Folk edits.
DAISY COWGIRL
Dakota Floral Burnished Cowboy Hat
One Size
Woven cowboy hat with colorful floral detailing.
Rush shipping options available for delivery within one to two days.
Denim jorts are not going away anytime soon. These pair from Urban Outfitters come in three colors — vintage denim dark, vintage denim light and black — and can be shipped before the festival with rush or express options.
This Urban Outfitters cami features sheer mesh with sequin embellishments across the chest, a square neckline and a flowy hanky hem. Its relaxed babydoll fit and adjustable straps make it an easy, standout layer for a festival look.
This tie-dye halter dress has a burst of several colors appropriate for a floral-themed festival, and Urban Outfitters offers rush and express shipping just in time for Daisy Chain Fields.
Daisy Chain Fields is an all-women music festival created by Olivia Rodrigo to celebrate women in music while supporting and uplifting women and girls through community, education and advocacy. The name reflects Rodrigo’s vision of individual women coming together as interconnected, stronger links in a larger chain — do we think she’ll perform “The Chain” with Stevie Nicks? Oh, I hope so.
Daisy Chain Fields begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m., with 14 scheduled sets that don’t overlap (thank you, Olivia Rodrigo), across the Dandelion and Marigold stages and three special guests joining the “Vampire” singer for the closing performance.
The lineup moves through pop, indie, alternative, rock, punk, hip-hop and electronic sounds, with dedicated slots for Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Katseye, Santigold, Garbage, Bikini Kill, The Breeders, Rachel Chinouriri, Die Spitz, Eli, Not For Radio and Quiet Light. Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan and Karen O are billed as special guests, with McLachlan specifically set to sing with Rodrigo after being the first person Rodrigo called when she decided to create the festival.
Shop the official Daisy Chain Fields merch.
About the Author
Sophie Dunne is an E-Commerce Writer at Penske Media Corporation, writing across Billboard, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, WWD, and Footwear News. Originally from Ireland and based in Los Angeles, she previously worked at Static Media as a writer and editor across all brands, covering entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, shopping, sex and relationships, travel, home and garden, tech, health and wellness, history, and food. Her bylines have appeared in Women’s Health, The List, Women.com, Islands, Grunge, WebMD, and more. Before beginning her writing career in 2019, Sophie lived in Dubai for four years working as an Emirates Cabin Crew Member. Having traveled to 71 countries with the airline, she began writing for an LA-based publication as a travel writer during her final year. Sophie has a degree in Humanities from Carlow College, St. Patrick’s (now South East Technological University) in her native Ireland. She studied English, history, philosophy, and psychology. Sophie mostly reports on entertainment merchandise and celebrity brand partnerships.
Los Lobos has reached a settlement with Sony Music Entertainment over royalties for “Canción del Mariachi,” the Chicano rock band’s collaboration with Antonio Banderas from the 1995 western Desperado.
A Friday (Aug. 21) court filing, obtained and first reported by Billboard, states that Los Lobos and Sony Music have jointly agreed to dismiss the band’s breach of contract lawsuit. An attorney for Los Lobos, Evan Cohen, told Billboard that the matter has been settled but declined to share any deal terms. A Sony rep did not immediately return a request for comment.
Los Lobos sued Sony Music, whose imprint Milan Records handles distribution for “Canción del Mariachi,” in December 2025. The band claimed it hadn’t received any digital royalties for the recording, even though streams have skyrocketed since mixed martial artist Ilia “El Matador” Topuria made it his walkout anthem in recent years.
“Despite the specific knowledge that the popularity of the recording was spiking and reaching new audiences, Sony and Milan still paid nothing to Los Lobos for streaming, and continues to pay nothing, for streaming anywhere in the world or for any time period,” read the lawsuit.
Sony Music broadly denied wrongdoing and liability in its first response to the lawsuit in February. Banderas was not involved in the case.
Even after Friday’s settlement, Los Lobos is not entirely done fighting against the Sony corporation. The band still has another lawsuit pending against a different division of the Japanese media conglomerate, Sony Pictures Entertainment, over royalties from the 1987 Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba.
That case, filed in November 2025, alleges that Los Lobos has been deprived of international streaming royalties for various Valens covers that the band recorded for the La Bamba soundtrack. This includes Los Lobos’ version of “La Bamba,” which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. Sony Pictures and its subsidiary studio, Columbia Pictures, are in charge of royalty accounting for that soundtrack outside the U.S. and Canada.
Sony Pictures claims it has complied with all payment obligations to Los Lobos. According to court filings, the company investigated after the La Bamba lawsuit was filed and realized that $17,000 worth of foreign streaming royalties had been underpaid for a “discrete time period.”
Lawyers for Sony Pictures say the company promptly sent that amount to the band, plus interest, for a total of $22,000 this past January. But Los Lobos says more money is still owed, and mediation remains ongoing.
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.
KPop Demon Hunters has not only been a hit for Netflix, but also for retailers, as official and fan-made merch from the Oscar-winning animated film continues to roll out in stores and online.
The latest collaboration with the franchise is Mattel’s new lineup of dolls inspired by the movie’s iconic musical performances. These aren’t KPop Demon Hunters Barbie dolls, but rather, similar dolls from Mattel with the faces and outfits of the HUNTR/X girls and Saja Boys’ leader, Jinu.
The collection includes singing Rumi, Zoey and Mira dolls in their shimmering “Golden” stage outfits, along with three fashion dolls recreating the group’s “How It’s Done” opening performance. Early demand has been exceptionally strong, with one of the dolls quickly climbing to the No. 1 spot among new toy releases on Amazon shortly after its launch. Mattel also brings the charismatic Saja Boys leader Jinu to life in his instantly recognizable “Soda Pop” performance outfit, giving collectors both sides of the film’s iconic musical rivalry.
RUMI SINGING DOLL
Rumi Singing ‘Golden’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Doll
Selling out quickly
Rumi sings “Golden” wearing her performance outfit, accessories, jewelry and iconic purple braid.
Fans can recreate HUNTR/X’s unforgettable “Golden” performance with the interactive Rumi singing doll. Dressed in her screen-accurate stage outfit, the Rumi doll sings the hit song solo or together with compatible Zoey and Mira dolls. Featuring five posable joints, she’s ready for concert performances or demon-hunting adventures, making her an excellent addition for collectors and kids ages 6 and up.
This one is almost sold out on Amazon so you’ll want to pick up the Rumi doll at Walmart or Target.
‘HOW IT’S DONE’ OUTFIT
Rumi ‘How It’s Done’ Performance Look ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Fashion Doll
#1 New Release
A hot new release on Amazon, the Rumi “How It’s Done” fashion doll includes fun accessories such as her Saingeom sword.
Inspired by HUNTR/X’s opening performance, Rumi arrives wearing her bold yellow cropped jacket, high-waisted shorts with a traditional norigae charm and platform boots. She includes her signature Saingeom weapon and microphone accessory, while detailed makeup and her long purple braid complete the movie-accurate look. Five points of articulation allow for display or action-packed play.
ZOEY SINGING DOLL
Zoey Singing ‘Golden’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Doll
The Zoey “Golden” doll sings her part of the iconic anthem.
Zoey’s interactive singing doll lets fans recreate one of the film’s biggest musical moments. Wearing her authentic concert outfit, she sings “Golden” alone or together with the Rumi and Mira dolls. Five points of articulation make her easy to pose for performances or demon-hunting adventures, making her a standout addition to any KPop Demon Hunters collection.
‘HOW IT’S DONE’ FASHION
Zoey ‘How It’s Done’ Performance Look ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Fashion Doll
This Zoey doll includes her signature Spirit Blades for demon-fighting battle scenes.
Zoey hits the stage in her stylish “How It’s Done” outfit featuring a cropped top, colorful baggy pants, sneakers, sculpted accessories and a traditional norigae charm. With 11 points of articulation and detailed hair and makeup, she’s ready for both action poses and concert displays.
MIRA SINGING DOLL
Mira Singing ‘Golden’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Doll
Fans can hear Mira’s “Golden” solo with this Mattel singing doll.
Mira can perform on her own or synchronize with compatible Rumi and Zoey dolls for a complete HUNTR/X performance. With five points of articulation, she’s designed for imaginative play while recreating one of the film’s most iconic musical numbers with her signature long pink hair and sparkly gold outfit.
‘HOW IT’S DONE’ PERFORMANCE
Mira ‘How It’s Done’ Performance Look ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Fashion Doll
This Barbie-style Mira doll comes with her Curved Moon Sword accessory.
Mira’s striking opening-performance outfit features a shoulder-detailed crop top, matching miniskirt, chain belt, fingerless gloves, thigh-high boots, a traditional norigae charm and a Curved Moon Sword. Her signature long pink hair, detailed makeup and 11 points of articulation are ideal for posing, play or display.
OFFICIAL JINU DOLL
Saja Boys Jinu ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Mattel Fashion Doll
The leader of the Saja Boys joins Mattel’s new doll collection in his memorable “Soda Pop” performance outfit.
Looking like a handsome Ken doll, Jinu wears ripped skinny jeans, a white button-up shirt and high-top sneakers. The set also includes pink sunglasses plus a soda can accessory. With 11 points of articulation, fans can recreate his unforgettable stage moments or display him alongside the HUNTR/X dolls.
FAN MERCH
KPop Demon Hunters-Inspired Mini Dolls
Looking for more options? Amazon also sells these 3.94-inch mini figurines of the characters from the film.
Rendered in vibrant colors and realistic details to look just like they do on the movie, these plastic figures are great for decorating a bookshelf, desk or bedside table. All six figurines are housed inside a colorful display box.
ALSO AVAILABLE
HUNTR/X-Inspired White & Gold Edition PVC Figures Set
You can also pick up this six-pack of HUNTR/X dolls, which depict the members in two outfits: gold and white.
These mini plastic figurines measure just under four inches tall and also come in a gift box. This is unofficial KPop Demon Hunters merch of course, but still worth adding to your collection.
PHYSICAL RELEASE
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ DVD (Blu-ray + 4K Ultra HD)
Pre-Order
Collectors can also bring the film home with KPop Demon Hunters: The Criterion Collection, arriving on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K on Nov. 3.
Available to pre-order now, the premium physical release gives fans a lasting way to own one of animation’s biggest modern hits and makes an essential addition to any movie collection.
The new Mattel KPop Demon Hunters dolls come on the heels of officially licensed items like movie-themed Squishmallows, Funko Pop! figures, LEGO-inspired building sets and Vans sneakers, along with countless fan-made creations, such as KPop Demon Hunters-inspired candles and bath bombs.
Since its 2025 debut, Netflix’s animated film has become one of the year’s biggest entertainment success stories, with its blend of K-pop, fantasy, action and heartfelt storytelling.
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin poll — curated with key recommendations by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features new music including Farruko’s “Madrid,” Yuridia’s “Que Se Vaya” and Pepe Aguilar’s new live album recorded during his concert at the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few.
Notably, Los Ángeles Azules and TINI teamed up on a second collaboration called “Pa’ Él,” which blends the Mexican group’s signature cumbia sonidera sound with the Argentine’s pop vocal delicacy. “This one’s for him/ For the liar who didn’t know how to love me,” TINI chants in the chorus.
“I deeply admire how Los Ángeles Azules have managed to connect with so many generations through their music,” she said in a statement. The Mexican group added: “We hope audiences embrace it with the same love we put into creating it, and most of all, that they enjoy it and dance to it.”
Meanwhile, artists such as Myke Towers and El De La Tinta have also dropped new music this week.
The most recent New Music Latin poll (published on Aug. 14) was topped by Carín León and Ke Personaje’s “Qué Andas Haciendo,” which earned nearly 60% of the vote. Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.
Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 11 a.m. ET on Monday (Aug. 24).









