Welcome to Billboard‘s weekly recap! Whether it’s a newly released song or video, a viral moment, or a big announcement, Billboard will have a round-up of the happenings across the music industry at the end of every week.
It almost felt like a K-pop takeover this week, as BTS, SuperM and Tomorrow x Together all had big news to announce, from new fashion campaigns to new albums. But there were plenty of other exciting things happening in pop, hip-hop and Latin as well, like Mariah Carey announcing new Christmas tour dates.
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See latest videos, charts and news
Unfortunately, this week was also ridden with another tragic loss, as superproducer Busbee lost his battle to cancer on Sunday (Sept. 29). Artists of all genres delivered heartfelt tributes, ultimately showing that his legacy will live on through all of the singers he touched.
Take a look at all of the biggest things that happened in music in this week’s recap below.
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Post Malone became a meme
The hip-hop star’s Detroit crowd got extra rowdy on Sunday night (Sept. 29), with one of the female fans on the floor flashing Post as he walked on the stage runway. Naturally, his jaw dropped in response — and luckily, someone caught it on camera. Within hours, fans turned Post’s shocked face into quite the hilarious meme, including jokes about 2nd graders’ reactions to wiggly pencils and everyone’s response to cute dogs.
Mariah Carey announced holiday tour dates
The superstar continued to spread holiday cheer one week after announcing a re-release of her hit holiday album, Merry Christmas, in honor of its 25th anniversary. On Monday (Sept. 30), Carey revealed five holiday shows that will take place on the East Coast in December, just after she plays five Christmas shows in Las Vegas.
Lizzo reigned the Billboard Hot 100 for a fifth week
“Truth Hurts” is proving to be an unstoppable force on the Hot 100, as Lizzo’s big hit held on to the top spot for another week. Maroon 5’s latest single, “Memories,” also debuted on this week’s chart, marking the group’s 22nd — and 15th consecutive — top 40 hit on the Hot 100.
Jonas Brothers shared their Tiny Desk Concert performance
Filmed in August when the guys stopped through Washington, DC, on their Happiness Begins tour, the Jonas Brothers’ Tiny Desk Concert was unveiled Monday and it’s everything a Jonas fan could want. They stuck to their newer material, performing stripped-down renditions of their smash “Sucker,” sultry Happiness Begins cut “I Believe” and current single “Only Human.”
Stars mourned Busbee
In sadder news, the music industry lost a behind-the-scenes superstar, producer busbee, who passed away on Sunday after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for the past several months. Though he was best known for his contributions in the country world, busbee also worked with several pop stars, and countless artists took to social media to pay tribute, from Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood to Adam Lambert and Shakira.
Ariana Grande led the 2019 EMA nominees
The “Thank U, Next” singer earned the most noms for this year’s MTV EMAs — whose nominees were announced Tuesday (Oct 1) — with seven, including best video and best artist. Also among some of the top-nominated artists were Shawn Mendes, Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish with six nods each; J Balvin nabbed five, and Taylor Swift and Lizzo each came in with four.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin (Bieber) shared wedding photos
The Biebers had a blowout wedding extravaganza on Monday night (Sept. 30). The pair both shared adorable black-and-white photos from the star-studded affair on Tuesday, with Justin captioning one of his posts, “Looking forward to forever with you.” Cue the awws.
Daddy Yankee, Pitbull and more were announced as Latin AMAs performers
A mix of rising stars and superstars joined the lineup of 2019 Latin AMAs performers: Daddy Yankee, Pitbull, Jason Derulo, Ne-Yo, Anuel AA, Banda Los Sebastianes, Darell, El Micha, Esteman, Georgel, Justin Quiles, Lenier, Myke Towers, Piso 21, Raymix, Silvestre Dangond, Nacho and Greeicy were all revealed on Tuesday. The artists join a previously announced roster that includes Ozuna, CNCO, Farruko and Sofia Reyes. The show will air live on Telemundo on Oct. 17.
BTS launched a Fila campaign
After rumors swirled about the K-pop phenoms’ partnership with the Italian sportswear brand, Fila confirmed the news on Tuesday. BTS will wear Fila in markets across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, according to a release. In addition, the guys will star in an ad campaign early next year, featuring the message “One World, One Fila.”
Tomorrow x Together announced an album, then SuperM announced a tour
BTS wasn’t the only K-pop group with exciting news to share this week. Within 24 hours of each other, Tomorrow x Together revealed release plans for their forthcoming album, The Dream Chapter: Magic; then SuperM unveiled a 10-date North American tour for November and January/February 2020. So much K-pop, so little time!
Adam Lambert proved he can sing just about anything
Lambert played Elle’s game of “Song Association,” in which he had to come up with (and sing) songs that had certain words in its lyrics. While he struggled to think of a few, the songs Lambert did get resulted in beautiful proof that it doesn’t matter what the song is — he’ll always sound perfect.
Josh Groban was tested on his Downton Abbey knowledge
When he isn’t belting out mind-blowing power notes, Josh Groban is apparently watching Downton Abbey. Billboard’s new series Quizzed put Groban’s Downton fandom to the ultimate test, as he answers questions delivered by none other than the series’ star Allen Leech (who plays Tom Branson in Downton) in a video released on Thursday (Oct. 3). How’d he do? See for yourself:
Billy Corgan announced a solo tour
Not long after The Smashing Pumpkins wrapped their 30th anniversary tour, the band’s frontman revealed plans to resume his solo career with a 12-date tour, which he announced Thursday. The trek will kick off on Nov. 4 with three shows at Los Angeles’ Lodge Room, hitting cities across the U.S. before landing in New York for three dates at Gramercy Theatre.
Taylor Swift cried over a banana
Ahead of her highly anticipated Saturday Night Live return this weekend, Taylor Swift stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to discuss her appearance and play a game of “Name That Song Challenge.” But what Swift didn’t see coming was an unreleased post-eye surgery video that her mom shared with Fallon — to, of course, share with the world — that sees Swift get emotional over ripping the wrong banana off the bunch. Yes, it’s as hilarious as it sounds.
Niall Horan, Justin Bieber and Dan + Shay, Camila Cabello, Travis Scott and more dropped new tunes
Talk about a star-studded New Music Friday! Niall Horan’s first single since 2017’s Flicker, “Nice to Meet Ya,” Camila Cabello’s latest track “Cry For Me,” and Travis Scott’s bold new jam “Highest in the Room” are just a few of the big releases on Friday (Oct. 4) — not to mention the newest Justin Bieber collab, this time with country duo Dan + Shay. Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz discusses all of these songs and more on this week’s First Stream. Check it out here!