Without even mentioning it by name, BTS sparked a major debate about the new best Asian pop music performance category at the 2027 Grammys with their bombshell decision last week not to submit music from their latest album, ARIRANG, for next year’s awards show.
On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith take a closer look at that decision and at the category, and what it will look like without BTS in it.
Related
We also discuss Madonna’s new “Love Sensation” remix with Kylie Minogue, which the pair previewed with a WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 performance over the weekend before the song’s arrival later this week. Plus: Ariana Grande’s rep announced over the weekend that the pop star/actress plans to step back following the end of her Eternal Sunshine Tour, after Friday’s release of her latest album, Petal. Listen to our full conversation below:
Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem is back at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in nearly seventh months. Plus, Charli xcx’s new Music, Fashion, Film debuts in the top three, and on the Billboard Hot 100, the entire top five are country songs for the first time ever, as Wallen’s new single “Been by Now” debuts in the top five, joining four other country carryovers.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
Billboard gives an inside look at Lollapalooza 2026 in Chicago with highlight performances from Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, JENNIE, Aespa and CORTIS.
Aespa
Hi, we’re Aespa
Stella Lefty
I’m Stella Lefty.
CORTIS
What’s good, everybody? This is CORTIS and
Juicy J
Juicy J.
Tetris Kelly
We hung out with some of the hottest stars at Lollapalooza, and from burning hot sets and views right beside stage to the hottest after parties. Day one at Lala, we kick things off being “Lawless” with SB19.
SB19
It’s the first time that we ever performed that song, and we just released that like a few hours ago. So when I was performing earlier, like my mind went blank. Just had to move, you know. It’s it’s Lollapalooza, and there are lots of people watching, so had to move lawlessly.
Tetris Kelly
Then the always iconic Patron Hacienda had a surprise performance by Lil Sims. Night one was definitely all about the parties. We got Flavor Flav with Public Enemy at Soho House. An electric set with YUNGBLUD at Riviera Theater. Slayyyter made Chicago “Dance at Salt Shift. And AirBnb gave us the best summer night by blessing us with Zara Larsson at the big theater. Day two, we spent the morning swinging by CORTIS at House of Blues. Before chatting with artist Whitney Whitney about losing her voice and her journey to Lolla.
Whitney Whitney
The process was the worst thing I’ve ever been through. Like losing the thing that meant the most to me, heartbreaking. Like it really was terrible. But the fact that the timing and like the universe let me sing last week, and now my set is today, I don’t know. Someone’s working in my favor, and I am very excited.
Watch the full video above!
Joe Jackson‘s life is set to be spotlit in a new documentary series from BLK Prime, with son Marlon Jackson helping narrate and develop the program.
Per a post made by The Jacksons on Instagram, the series will be titled The Manager, The Mythology, The Legend, and it’s anticipated to be an inside look into the man who guided the Jackson family’s rise from Gary, Indiana, to global superstardom. The season is set to be eight episodes.
Related
In a statement shared with Page Six, Marlon said the series aims to present a more personal portrait of his father.
“Our father’s life is replete with triumphs and challenges, and we firmly believe that this series will offer a distinctive and accurate portrayal of the man behind our family,” he said. “We are thrilled to share my father’s indelible legacy with fans worldwide, granting them an intimate glimpse into the remarkable individual we knew and loved.”
The docuseries is expected to explore Joe Jackson’s early life, his ambition, personal struggles and the role he played in building one of music’s most successful family dynasties. Promotional information also indicates that the series will revisit the Jackson 5’s relationship with Motown, the pressures surrounding the family’s atomic rise and the bonds that molded their journey.
Joe Jackson managed the careers of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson as the Jackson 5 emerged as one of Motown’s biggest acts, later helping launch daughter Janet Jackson‘s early entertainment career as well.
The announcement comes as revived attention has been placed on Joe Jackson’s complicated legacy following the release of the Michael Jackson biopic Michael. While widely recognized for helping shape the careers of his children, Joe also faced longstanding allegations of physical and emotional abuse from several members of the family. He acknowledged using strict discipline while denying many of the accusations made against him.
BLK Prime says the new series will offer viewers a closer look at Joe Jackson’s life from the perspective of those who knew him personally. No premiere date has been announced, though the streaming platform says more details about production and casting will be revealed in the coming months.
Hopefully ARMY likes surprises, because BTS is bringing new ones to its fan base every night.
It’s been four years since BTS’ last performances as a group, and fans have been left hungry. Now that the band has hit the road with their ARIRANG World Tour, supporting their Billboard 200 No. 1 album ARIRANG, they’re making sure that fans are fed.
Since kicking off the tour April 9 at Goyang Stadium in Goyang-si, South Korea, BTS has performed surprise songs during every show’s encore. The band’s already-packed setlist features 16 songs during the main performance and seven encore tracks, two of which change nightly. The surprise songs run the gamut of BTS’ career, ranging from Billboard Hot 100 hits like “Take Two” to 10-year-old singles like “I NEED U.” The band has even performed a few tracks it has not played in almost a decade, including “Crystal Snow,” on the ARIRANG World Tour.
Fans are of course ecstatic about the possibility of hearing a BTS track performed live for the first time. Some online have even begun keeping track of every surprise song the band has played and which they have yet to.
Below, Billboard, with the help of setlist.fm, has compiled a list of all the surprise songs BTS has brought to the ARIRANG World Tour thus far. As BTS continue on their 85-date, 34-city world tour, Billboard will continue to update this list with each new surprise track the band plays.
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>