Oh yes, oh yes! Carl Cox is now an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), recognition for his outstanding services to music.

The pioneering British DJ and record producer is one of several music figures named in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Writing on his socials, Cox, one of the outstanding technical DJs of them all, a master of techno and house whose career spans over four decades, says he is “absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured” by his award.

“Music has been my life for as long as I can remember. From the earliest days behind the decks to performing on stages around the world, it has been an incredible journey filled with passion, creativity, and unforgettable moments. I’ve been fortunate to do what I love and to connect with so many amazing people through the power of music,” he writes.

“This recognition is not mine alone – it belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey. To the fans who have supported me throughout the years, the artists who have inspired and collaborated with me, the promoters, crews, and teams working tirelessly behind the scenes, my family, friends, and the wider electronic music community: thank you. Your belief, dedication, and energy have helped shape every step of this remarkable path.”

“To receive this honour for doing something that has brought me so much joy is truly humbling. Electronic music has given me a purpose, a voice, and a global family, and I’m proud to have played a part in its growth and continued success.” Cox extends a thank you “to everyone who has supported me along the way. Your encouragement has meant the world to me, and I’m genuinely grateful for every opportunity, every dancefloor, and every shared experience.”

Also recognized by King Charles is fellow British DJ Judge Jules (real name: Julius O’Riordan), who is appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). O’Riordan is saluted for his services to the music industry, entertainment law, and young people.

“I’ve done an awful lot of mentoring. I mean, a good example of what I do,” he tells LBC Radio’s Ali Miraj. “I go to the Brit School, which is… the Brit School has generated more famous global musical icons out of this country than any other single entity. And I go there and I lecture at least once or twice a year. And there are many other ways that I feel that if you’ve been experienced like I have, it’s one’s absolute obligation to give back and to mentor because the arts in this country have had challenging times on and off, but are a real flag that this country needs to fly.”

Also, Black Sabbath guitarist and co-founder Tony Iommi is made an MBE for services to music and charity, while several leading figures from the world of classical music are saluted.

The New Year and King’s Birthday Honours are awarded by the King following recommendations by the prime minister or senior government ministers, as celebration of outstanding achievements, personal bravery, and public service.

Meanwhile, several outstanding artists and executives from Australia’s music community are tapped in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Keith Welsh, co-founder, bassist and now manager of Iva Davies’ ARIA Hall of Fame inducted band ICEHOUSE, receives the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), as does Philip Walker (OAM), chair and co-founder of Origin Music Group.

There’s a posthumous award for James Valentine, the beloved broadcaster and sax player for ARIA Hall of Famer inducted new wave band Models and Absent Friends. Valentine, who passed in April, at the age of 64, following a battle with cancer, becomes a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

The honors recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements, community service, and public contributions of hundreds of distinguished Australians, and are awarded by the Governor-General of Australia, acting on the recommendation of the Council for the Order of Australia.

SYDNEY, Australia — BMG has acquired the publishing catalog of Chris Cheney, frontman, songwriter and guitarist of The Living End, in a deal announced just days after the Australian rock trio was inducted into the 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame.

The acquisition expands on a relationship that has seen BMG serve as Cheney’s global publisher since 2016 and the group’s global label since 2018. Financial terms of the new deal weren’t disclosed.

“One of the great joys of being a musician is songwriting,” Cheney comments in a statement, issued Wednesday, June 17. “The magical feeling you get from the process of creating something from nothing! Songs can take weeks to write, or they can appear in minutes seemingly out of nowhere, they are the most wonderful, mysterious, powerful things!”

The Living End, he continues, “have always had an incredibly strong connection with our audience around the world through our catalog of songs. I’m thankful and very honored to have done this deal with BMG who I know share the same passion and enthusiasm for music and for this catalog.”

Formed in Melbourne in the 1990s, the trio, with dashes of rockabilly, pop-punk, and indie grit, earned a reputation as a must-see live act, a label that sticks to this day. The rockers’ ARIA Chart-topping self-titled 1998 debut remains one of Australia’s best-selling rock albums, and housed one of the era’s all-time anthems, “Second Solution / Prisoner of Society”.

Over time, the band, comprised of Cheney, Scott Owen and Andy Strachan, have snagged two No. 1 albums, six ARIA Awards, APRA’s song of the year, and a swag of top 10s, including last year’s album release I Only Trust Rock ’N’ Roll, which peaked at No. 5 on the all-genres ARIA Chart.

The Living End was inducted June 11 into the ARIA’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Sydney, part of a class that included the late Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, and Vika & Linda. 

“The Living End has been the soundtrack to countless Australian stories and memories while the band has simultaneously achieved cult status internationally as one of the best live rock bands of all time,” comments Heath Johns, president, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, BMG.

“As The Living End enter the ARIA Hall of Fame, we are incredibly honored that Chris has chosen BMG as his forever home for these iconic publishing rights, and we look forward to finding new opportunities for them at home and abroad.”

Rod Wave’s next album is on the way. The Florida rapper/singer announced Tuesday (June 16) that his Don’t Look Down project is set to arrive before summer ends on Aug. 28.

Rod released a bittersweet trailer to coincide with the announcement, which takes place at a funeral and finds the “Heart on Ice” artist plotting with his crew.

“No more sneaky business, no more side deals. Keep building our own machine. Keep going and don’t look down,” Rod says in the clip before being asked about his next move. “Album.”

The trailer closes with a preview of a soulful track, which appears to be on Don’t Look Down. A press release confirms that a single is “coming soon.” “I am the chosen one/ The only one they banking on/ Real s–t that raw s–t they waiting on,” he croons.

Billboard caught up with Rod Wave at a homecoming show in St. Petersburg, Florida, last year, where the Grammy-nominated artist spoke about the growth he felt going into this LP.

“Growth,” he said when describing the project. “I feel like every album, as I grow older, is different. I paint a different picture, because I’m a different version of myself. Every album’s a different chapter. I feel like it’s all real-life stuff.”

The 27-year-old continued: “We all can agree that life goes up and down. So every year, what I basically do is I just talk about where life has taken me up to that point, and people connect with it. We’re all growing up together.”

Rod Wave’s most recent album, Last Lap, arrived in 2024 and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Watch the Don’t Look Down trailer below.