JK Rowling publishes first chapters of new story online

Ellise Shafer editorLooks like the band behind the songs featured in Netflix’s wildly popular “Tiger King” are finally getting their share of the spotlight.Vince Johnson, one half of The Clinton-Johnson Band who wrote and performed the songs Joe Exotic tried to pass of as his own, has officially signed an exclusive worldwide licensing and distribution deal with BMG Rights Management and Create Music Group.

At a time when people around the world are fighting back against pervasive systemic racism and police brutality, it's more important than ever to use this Pride Month as a means of uplifting and supporting black queer individuals everywhere. So, for this week's First Out, Billboard Pride is highlighting some of the best new music of this week from BIPOC queer artists.

It’s been another tough week between the ongoing pandemic and the protests for racial justice. A number of titles were pushed back a week out of deference to Black Out Tuesday, but there are still some worthy releases, including one that thoughtfully addresses the current racial discord.

The Album That Couldn’t Feel More Timely (Or Necessary): Run The Jewels, RTJ4Run the Jewels 2, widely considered the most urgent full-length from the duo of Killer Mike and El-P, was released in October 2014, a little over two months after the shooting death of Michael Brown Jr. and the resulting eruption in the Missouri city of Ferguson.

There is a bonanza of new music out this week, including Kip Moore’s new album, fresh singles from Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Wallen, the pandemic song we all need from Dolly Parton (check out Jillian Jacqueline’s entry here too), as well as a dance invasion courtesy of Diplo and Dave Audé.Kip Moore, Wild WorldTen months after Moore, one of country’s more thoughtful artists, released the album’s opening salvo, the lighthearted “She’s Mine,” his entire fourth studio set arrives.

We're only a few short days away from the start of Pride Month — so get a jump on the celebrations with the latest new music from LGBTQ artists! Billboard Pride is proud to present our latest edition of First Out, our weekly roundup of some of the best new weekly music releases from queer artists.

Though we didn't receive any blockbuster releases today, we have many gems to pick from the litter of new material.Check out our picks for the best new music from Freddie Gibbs, Lucky Daye, Gucci Mane and more below. Freddie Gibbs, Alfredo Last year, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib orchestrated a heist on hip-hop with their masterful opus Bandana.

Billboard’s First Stream serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.

An online version of Scottish Opera’s Fever and teaching resources are available to help entertain families and educate children during lockdown.

J.K. Rowling is helping out parents at home.

just made a major announcement about her latest project on Twitter. But before you get too excited, she made it very clear that it's not a part of the Harry Potter universe.Listen, the woman knows the world is always hungry for more wizarding—but that doesn't mean this new work won't be just as exciting.

J.K. Rowling has good news for locked-down fans looking for a Dobby, er, hobby.

Start out your long holiday weekend right with some brand new music from your favorite LGBTQ artists! Billboard Pride is proud to present our latest edition of First Out, our weekly roundup of some of the best new weekly music releases from LGBTQ artists.

Billboard’s First Stream serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.This week, Lady Gaga makes it rain with Ariana Grande, The 1975 delivers another opus and The Weeknd recruits Doja Cat for another pop radio offering. Check out all of this week’s First Stream picks below:The Song That Can Be Described As An International Bop: Lady Gaga feat.

With Memorial Day Weekend officially here, we have an earful of quality music to check out.

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, some of country’s top artists have new tunes to keep you company through your sheltering-in-place backyard barbeque.Jake Owen, “Made For You”Owen follows up “Homemade,” his eighth No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, with this sentimental, straight-down-the-middle love ballad that is sure to be a mainstay at weddings for years to come.

By Patrick Frater

First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos and albums that dropped this week.

For this week's First Beat, we have a hearty bag of treats including Polo G's stellar sophomore album The GOAT, Tory Lanez's first single as an independent artist and Chloe X Halle's unshakable bop.  Take a look at some of our picks below.