This week was filled with exciting announcements and new music, punctuated by Katy Perry‘s big news that she is pregnant, as she revealed in a gorgeous music video for her new song “Never Worn White.”
In addition to Perry, the Dixie Chicks announced their return and dropped the first taste of their forthcoming album with the brassy “Gaslighter”; Lady Gaga finally announced her sixth album; and Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin announced a joint tour.
Amid the fun news, though, Nashville was tragically struck by two tornados on Tuesday (March 3) that killed 25 people and caused destruction across the city. But several stars immediately took action and donated to tornado relief, as Dierks Bentley declared on Twitter, “No one comes together as a city like Nashville does.”
Take a look at all the major music happenings this week below.
BTS landed the biggest album debut of the year so far
As if BTS couldn’t get any bigger, the K-pop superstars scored their fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with Map of the Soul: 7, which marked the biggest debut of any album of 2020 so far. The album earned 422,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 27, which also marks the biggest debut for a group since One Direction’s Made in the A.M. in December 2015. And on top of that, BTS also landed their highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit yet with “On,” which debuted at No. 4.
Lady Gaga announced her new album
Little Monsters rejoiced on Monday (March 2), when Lady Gaga delivered the news they’ve been eagerly awaiting for years: Her new album is on the way — and soon. Gaga revealed that her sixth LP, Chromatica, will be released on April 10, sharing temporary bright pink album artwork on Instagram that she said isn’t the cover but “we made it for you to enjoy in the meantime.” With the lead single “Stupid Love” teasing a more pop-leaning sound than 2016’s Joanne, fans were rejoicing that “it feels like 2011 again” on Twitter upon the album announce. Three days after revealing Chromatica, Lady Gaga announced a six-city stadium tour, dubbed The Chromatica Ball.
Niall Horan announced a week-long stint with Corden
Move over, Harry Styles — Niall Horan is going to be the latest One Direction member to have a week-long stint on The Late Late Show With James Corden. Ahead of releasing his sophomore album, Heartbreak Weather (due March 13), Horan will be joining Corden for a full week of fun, including his own Carpool Karaoke and performances every night.
Harry Styles detailed the time he played Fine Line for Stevie Nicks
Just after delivering two secret shows in New York City, Harry Styles stopped by The Howard Stern Show to talk about his latest album Fine Line and more. Naturally, Styles’ pal Stevie Nicks came up, as he shared a story about playing Fine Line for the icon in the wee hours of the morning with what he jokingly referred to as her “coven of witches.” He also opened up about what it’s like having Taylor Swift write songs about their short-but-sweet relationship.
Justin Bieber was revealed as the seventh biggest artist of the 2010s
Billboard’s countdown of the biggest artists of the 2010s continued on Tuesday, with Justin Bieber revealed as No. 7 thanks in part to his 16 top 10 Hot 100 hits (including 5 No. 1s) in the decade. As previously announced, Post Malone is the No. 10 Top Artist of the 2010s, Maroon 5 ranks at No. 9 and Katy Perry places at No. 8. The full top 10 will be revealed on the Billboard Music Awards, which will air live from Las Vegas on April 29 on NBC.
Camila Cabello celebrated her birthday in cheeky fashion
Camilla Cabello took to social media the day before turning 23 on March 3 to share her “first internet nude.” But don’t worry, it’s nothing Instagram will report: the silly photo is of her as a baby wearing nothing but a blanket wrapped around her head. The real celebration took place on her actual birthday in England, where she’s currently filming Cinderella — which of course meant that she had a princess-themed birthday party. And as if a pumpkin carriage cake isn’t a cool enough celebration, Cabello had her beau Shawn Mendes in tow for the festivities. She also urged fans to celebrate with her by donating to Save the Children:
Carrie Underwood launched a fitness app and released her book
It was a big week for Carrie Underwood, and not because of anything music-related. The country star dipped into the book world with a fitness and lifestyle book titled Find Your Path, which arrived on Tuesday. And the day before that, Underwood — who has her own line of fitness apparel, Calia — launched a new wellness app called fit52, a platform designed to support people on their unique personal wellness journeys. The app is “designed for busy people and their busy lives,” as Underwood said in a press release, with a variety of workout routines that can be done in 30 minutes.
Taylor Swift and more helped Nashville tornado victims
After two tornados tore through Nashville on Tuesday morning, the destruction in Music City was detrimental and 25 lives were lost. Several stars immediately sent their love to those affected, with many donating to tornado relief: Taylor Swift (who moved to Nashville suburb Hendersonville when she was a teen) donated $1 million, Dan + Shay gave $100,000 ahead of their tour kickoff at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this weekend, and Kacey Musgraves sold clothes she’s worn on stage through celebrity-clothing seller Stage to Closet.
The Dixie Chicks returned
A comeback long awaited, the Dixie Chicks released their first official single in 13 years with “Gaslighter” on Wednesday (March 4), along with a feisty video starring the Chicks themselves (Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire). The country trio revealed that they have a full album coming, their first LP since 2006’s Taking the Long Way. Also titled Gaslighter, the album will arrive on May 1.
Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin announced a tour
North American Latin music fans got some exciting news on Wednesday, when Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin announced a joint tour. The Latin superstars will hit the road in September, kicking off in Phoenix on Sept. 5 and hitting 21 cities through Oct. 30. Rising star Sebastian Yatra will open on all dates, calling the invitation to join the tour “the most surreal moment of my life.”
Katy Perry revealed that she’s pregnant
Katy Perry is going to be a mom! The superstar revealed on Thursday (March 5) that she’s pregnant in a stunning music video for her new song, “Never Worn White,” which sees Perry singing in a white gown and amid a mountain of flowers before uncovering her belly at the very end. The surprise sent fans into a tizzy on social media, with KatyCats exclaiming over her baby as well as her new album, which Perry said will both arrive this summer.
Demi Lovato released a new single and opened up about her struggles
Demi Lovato’s dropped a new single “I Love Me” on Friday (March 6), and though it’s a banger, it’s also a super vulnerable tale about her battle with her mental health (“Oh, why do I compare myself to everyone?/ And I always got my finger on the self-destruct/ I wonder when I love me is enough,” she sings on the chorus). Lovato sat down with Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday for a very raw chat about her struggle with an eating disorder, but reassured fans that she is happy and healthy now. Lovato then hosted Ellen on Friday with special guest Justin Bieber, whom she admitted was a big inspiration for her as she dealt with her own battles.
Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert and more released new music
While the songs from the Dixie Chicks, Katy Perry and Demi Lovato were all exciting, several major albums arrived on Friday. Despite being in the middle of label drama, Megan Thee Stallion still dropped her latest project, Suga; Lil Uzi Vert also overcame label issues and released his much-anticipated album Eternal Atake. Bad Bunny delivered several reggaeton jams on his new album YHLQMDLG, while Lauv and Jhene Aiko brought chiller vibes on their respective albums How I’m Feeling and Chilombo. Check out Billboard’s full rundown of this week’s hottest releases here!
