Jay-Z Stays Atop Music’s Billionaires as Forbes’ 2025 List Swells

The rapper ranked No. 6 on Forbes’ 2025 celebrity billionaire list — highest among musicians — poses with his partner in a Tiffany & Co. campaign portrait. (Photograph by Mason Poole. Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)

“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” Two decades after that flex, Jay-Z tops music’s money column on Forbes’ 2025 celebrity billionaire list — No. 6 at an estimated $2.5 billion — ahead of Taylor Swift at No. 9 ($1.6 billion), turning “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint” into equity that still compounds.

What puts him in front is ownership. Jay-Z sold 50% of Armand de Brignac to LVMH in 2021 and a majority stake in D’Ussé to Bacardi in 2023 — cash-and-equity deals layered on top of Roc Nation and the 2021 sale of a majority stake in Tidal to Block. Add a valuable catalog and blue-chip art, and you get a portfolio that grows even when the studio is quiet.

Rihanna sits at No. 13 (about $1.4 billion) on the strength of Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty — proof that brand and product can outrun any release calendar. Swift is the rare ten-figure artist powered primarily by music itself; her spot at No. 9 comes from catalog control, royalties and the “Eras Tour.” Tyler Perry lands at No. 11 ($1.4 billion), a reminder that vertical control — studio, library and lot — keeps the checks coming.

Sports reads the same, just in a different jersey. Michael Jordan ranks No. 3 ($3.5 billion), a sovereign brand whose Nike royalties still score in overtime. Magic Johnson is No. 10 ($1.5 billion) off team stakes, insurance and real estate. LeBron James is No. 14 ($1.3 billion), proof an active player can build a ten-figure balance sheet with salaries, SpringHill and ownership. Tiger Woods is No. 12 ($1.4 billion), the endorsement engine turned operator. Oprah Winfrey sits at No. 4 ($3 billion), decades of audience trust turned into durable media equity and heavyweight real estate.

Zoom out and world-building pays longest. Steven Spielberg leads the celebrity set at No. 1 ($5.3 billion) and “Star Wars” creator George Lucas follows at No. 2 ($5.1 billion) — iconic IP that compounds for decades. Vince McMahon is No. 5 ($3 billion) after the WWE–UFC merger rolled spectacle into TKO stock. Kim Kardashian (No. 7; $1.7 billion) and Peter Jackson (No. 8; $1.7 billion) round out the upper middle on Skims and the Weta Digital deal.

The newcomer class explains how money moved this year. Bruce Springsteen (No. 15; about $1.2 billion) crystallized decades of songs with a blockbuster catalog sale. Arnold Schwarzenegger (No. 17; $1.1 billion) and Jerry Seinfeld (No. 18; $1.1 billion) arrived via long-tail syndication and investing. McMahon’s rise reflects that combat-sports merger windfall.

All of it sits inside a record backdrop: Forbes tallied 3,028 billionaires worldwide worth a combined $16.1 trillion, with a record 15 people in the $100-billion club and, for the first time, three above $200 billion. Against that surge, the celebrity cohort totals roughly $39 billion across 18 names. Hits fade — equity doesn’t. In 2025, catalogs, companies and control still turn fame into generational wealth.

Whirlpool Teams With Big Boi for Crystal-Studded Washer That Sings 'So Fresh, So Clean'

Big Boi’s iconic OutKast anthem “So Fresh, So Clean” has found an unlikely new home — inside a limited-edition Whirlpool washer that plays the chorus after each cycle. (Courtesy photo)

Twenty years ago, OutKast had clubs chanting “so fresh and so clean” as the anthem of late-night swagger. Today, Whirlpool wants your socks to feel the same way. In one of the most unexpected hip-hop crossovers yet, the appliance giant announced a limited-edition washer and dryer set that plays Big Boi’s chorus from the 2001 classic after every cycle.

Yes, it’s real. The Benton Harbor-based brand revealed the machines Tuesday as part of a sweepstakes giveaway, complete with a matte black finish, hand-placed crystals, and a “certified fresh” badge signed by Big Boi himself. The first set has already been delivered to the Atlanta legend, who co-signed the partnership with a simple truth: “Now your laundry looks fresh, smells fresh, and even sounds fresh.”

 

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It’s the kind of headline that sounds like satire until you remember hip-hop’s ability to bend culture in ways nobody predicts. Sneakers, champagne, fast food menus — the genre’s influence has already spilled into every corner of consumer life. But this may be the first time a rap hook is hardwired into household appliances, cementing just how permanent the early-2000s South has become in the American imagination.

OutKast’s legacy looms large over the moment. While André 3000 reinvented himself in 2023 with a flute-driven jazz odyssey, Big Boi’s steady presence has kept the duo’s catalog alive in arenas, soundtracks, and now, washing machines. For fans who once blasted “So Fresh, So Clean” through car stereos on summer nights, hearing it while folding laundry is a reminder of both hip-hop’s absurd reach and its timeless cool.

The sweepstakes runs through September 23, and only a handful of fans will ever own one of the crystal-studded machines. But the cultural takeaway isn’t about how many units exist. It’s about what it means when a track once soundtracking parties is now soundtracking adulthood. Hip-hop doesn’t just move generations forward — it ages with them, growing from the streets to the suburbs, and now, to the laundry room.

OutKast made the world feel so fresh and so clean. Whirlpool just made it literal.

Busta Rhymes’ Boundary-Breaking Career Earns Visionary Honor at VMAs

Busta Rhymes will receive the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award and perform at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in New York. (Photo Credit: Derek Blanks)

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are setting the stage for a night that blends cultural celebration with high-voltage performances — and hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes is at the center of it all.

On Sept. 7, the rap legend will receive the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award, honoring his groundbreaking career and enduring impact on music and culture, before hitting the stage for a performance expected to steal the night.

The recognition caps an extraordinary run for Busta, who this year also cemented his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and remains a constant creative force. Across three decades, he has sold more than 20 million albums, earned 12 Grammy nominations, landed seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 and seen over 60 million of his records certified gold and platinum. Since his first VMA appearance in 1997, Busta has delivered some of the show’s most electric moments, including the rapid-fire medley that closed the 2021 broadcast. His return in 2025 underscores not just his longevity, but the way he continues to shape the conversation in hip-hop.

He won’t be the only artist honored. Ricky Martin will make history as the first recipient of the Latin Icon Award, marking a four-decade career that has sold more than 70 million albums and redefined Latin pop for a global audience. Martin, who first lit up the VMAs stage in 1999, will return on the 26th anniversary of that performance, bringing his legacy full circle.

LL Cool J will host the ceremony live from UBS Arena in New York. The Queens legend — a VMA veteran and pop-culture mainstay — anchors the night in his first solo turn as host. The show will air coast-to-coast on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

The first wave of announced performers signals the breadth of the 2025 show. Breakout singer-songwriter Alex Warren makes his debut with his global No. 1 hit “Ordinary,” which has him nominated for Best New Artist, Best Pop and Song of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter, last year’s Song of the Year winner, returns with eight nominations including Video of the Year for “Manchild.” J Balvin, one of Latin music’s most decorated stars, will perform “Zun Zun” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, before joining DJ Snake for the live premiere of “Noventa.” Rising artist sombr will also take the stage for the first time, fresh off nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative.

But the story this year is Busta Rhymes — a performer whose career has spanned generations, genres, and platforms without losing its urgency. From his early days with Leaders of the New School to his chart-smashing solo records and iconic videos, Busta has remained a larger-than-life presence. His recognition with the Rock the Bells Visionary Award is less a career capstone than a reminder that his influence remains present tense. On VMA night, the stage is his again.

Busta Rhymes Feted as Hip-Hop Icon During Harlem Day Celebration

Busta Rhymes holds up the Hip Hop Icon Award during Harlem Week’s Harlem Day celebration at St. Nicholas Park in New York. The Brooklyn-born rapper was honored for his three-decade career, global impact, and contributions to hip hop culture. 

Busta Rhymes, whose rapid-fire flow and high-voltage performances helped redefine East Coast rap, was honored Sunday with the Hip Hop Icon Award during the finale of Harlem Week. The Brooklyn-born emcee received the recognition from the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce at St. Nicholas Park, where his son, Trillian Wood-Smith, also performed.

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The honor came as part of Harlem Day, the signature closing event of Harlem Week, a 51-year-old celebration themed this year as “Celebrate Our Magic.” Harlem Day featured three stages of music and tributes to Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Dr. Hazel Dukes, and the late Harry Belafonte, along with a musical salute to Quincy Jones led by Ray Chew.

Organizers selected Busta Rhymes not only for his chart-topping hits, platinum albums, and Grammy-nominated career, but also for his enduring influence on hip-hop culture and his global representation of New York. Over more than three decades, he has collaborated across genres and delivered boundary-pushing music videos and performances that inspired generations.

On Instagram, Busta thanked Harlem Week’s organizers and the community, writing: “THE BLESSINGS DON’T STOP SO THE BLESSINGS WON’T EVER STOP!!! … AIN’T NOTHING BETTER THAN TO RECEIVE YOUR FLOWERS WHILE YOU CAN SMELL ‘EM IN ABUNDANCE!!!”

The award follows another milestone for Busta Rhymes earlier this month, when he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his place among hip-hop’s most influential figures.

LL Cool J to Run the Show as Sole Host of 2025 MTV VMAs

LL Cool J will host the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards solo for the first time on Sept. 7 at UBS Arena in New York. (Photo Credit: Peter Yang)

LL Cool J has been a fixture of the MTV Video Music Awards for decades — tearing up stages, setting records, and making history long before most of today’s nominees were even in the game. Now, the Queens-born hip-hop pioneer is stepping into the spotlight solo to host the 2025 VMAs on Sept. 7, live from UBS Arena in New York.

The broadcast — airing coast-to-coast on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streaming on Paramount+ — marks the first time LL will emcee the awards by himself. He co-hosted in 2022 alongside Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, but this year, it’s his name alone at the top of the bill.

The move feels like a full-circle moment for a rapper who’s been part of VMA history since the early ’90s. In 1991, LL took home his first Moon Person for Best Rap Video. Six years later, he became the first rapper to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a recognition of both his music video innovation and his role in bringing hip-hop visuals into the mainstream.

In the years since, he’s turned the VMAs into a personal stage for culture-shifting moments — from leading an all-star tribute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023 to a surprise Def Jam 40th anniversary set with Public Enemy in 2024.

This year, LL isn’t just the host — he’s a contender. His 2024 single “Murdergram Deaux,” a collaboration with Eminem from his critically acclaimed album The Force, is nominated for Best Hip Hop.

For LL Cool J, the VMAs gig is another chapter in a career that’s defied categories. A two-time Grammy winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and multi-platinum artist, he’s also had a 14-season run as Special Agent Sam Hanna on “NCIS: Los Angeles” and launched the SiriusXM channel Rock The Bells Radio to preserve and promote classic hip-hop.

His return to the VMAs is more than nostalgia — it’s proof that the rapper who broke through at 16 with “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” still knows how to command a stage.

“LL Cool J is the blueprint,” said MTV executive producer Bruce Gillmer. “His impact spans music, television, film and culture. Having him host solo for the first time is going to be electric.”

Snoop Dogg to Bring West Coast Heat to Australia’s AFL Grand Final Stage

Snoop Dogg will headline the pre-game entertainment at the 2025 AFL Grand Final on Sept. 27 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

The AFL has locked in one of hip-hop’s most recognizable voices for its biggest day, announcing Snoop Dogg as the headline act for the Telstra pre-game entertainment at the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final on Sept. 27 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Australian Football League — founded in 1897 as the Victorian Football League and rebranded in 1990 — is the premier competition in Australian rules football, with its Grand Final regularly drawing over 100,000 fans in person and millions more watching nationally.

Snoop Dogg’s Biggest Sports & Entertainment Hosting Moments

• Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show (2022) — Performed alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent in a set hailed as one of the NFL’s most memorable shows.
• WrestleMania 32 (2016) — Took the mic at AT&T Stadium, performed live, and was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame celebrity wing.
• NBA All-Star Weekend Appearances — Provided live performances and fan engagement at multiple NBA events, bringing music to the heart of the sport.
• NHL Stadium Series & Charity Games — Delivered high-energy sets at major hockey events, blending his West Coast style with global sports culture.
• American Song Contest (2022) — Co-hosted NBC’s music competition with Kelly Clarkson, showcasing his live-event charisma.

For Snoop, it will be his first-ever performance at the MCG and his highest-profile Australian sporting event appearance to date. The West Coast rap legend, who rose to fame on Dr. Dre’s 1992 album "The Chronic" before releasing his multi-platinum debut "Doggystyle," has delivered three decades of chart-topping tracks, including “Gin and Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Young, Wild & Free.”

“It’s an absolute honor to be hitting the stage at the AFL Grand Final — it’s one of the biggest events on the Aussie calendar,” Snoop said in a statement released by the league. “Can’t wait to bring the energy and celebrate with the fans. Let’s make it unforgettable.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the addition of Snoop reflects the league’s push to make Grand Final day a cultural event as well as a sporting one. “Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer, and a true entertainer,” Dillon said. “He’s played to packed stadiums around the world — but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most iconic crowd yet.”

The AFL has a recent track record of bringing in global headliners for Grand Final entertainment, including Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, and The Killers. This year’s show will again be produced by the Mushroom Group, whose CEO Matt Gudinski promised “an unforgettable spectacle” and hinted at more Australian artists joining the bill.

Snoop’s relationship with Australia has had its twists. In 2007, he was denied a visa over past convictions in the United States, but the ban was lifted in 2008, allowing him to tour the country multiple times since. His most recent visit was part of a sold-out 2023 arena run.

Telstra executive Brent Smart said the company is “thrilled” to host the pre-game entertainment for the fifth straight year. “We’re passionate about delivering unforgettable experiences for fans. We’re confident Snoop Dogg will make this year’s celebration one to remember.”

The pre-game show will take place roughly an hour before the 2:30 p.m. bounce, following the traditional motorcade of coaches and players from the competing teams. Additional performers for the 2025 AFL Grand Final are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

NYC Immortalizes DJ Mister Cee, Fatman Scoop With Street Co-Namings

Street signs honoring the late Fatman Scoop in East Harlem and the late DJ Mister Cee in Brooklyn were unveiled over the weekend, cementing the hip-hop legends’ place in New York City history.

New York City immortalized two of its most celebrated voices with street co-namings over the weekend — forever linking DJ Mister Cee and Fatman Scoop to the boroughs where they made history.

On Saturday afternoon, the corner of 109th Street and 5th Avenue in East Harlem became Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place. The crowd heard from Kurtis Blow, who painted a vivid picture of Scoop’s influence:

“When you went into a club and the club was packed and they threw on a Fatman Scoop record, you knew you were at the place to be. Just hearing his voice, you knew it was time to do your best dance moves.”

🎤 “Fatman Scoop ain’t nothing to play with!” — Hip-hop legend @KurtisBlow1 sharing his remarks at the Harlem street co-naming of Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place at E 109th St & 5th Ave. 🗽✨ pic.twitter.com/2y2rZ2R0it

— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) August 9, 2025

Scoop — whose unmistakable hype voice turned countless tracks into anthems — died on August 30, 2024, at the age of 56 after collapsing onstage in Hamden, Connecticut. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ruling his death from natural causes.

 

On Sunday afternoon, Brooklyn’s Classon and Lafayette Avenues were officially co-named DJ Mister Cee Way in honor of the DJ, producer, and tastemaker who championed Big Daddy Kane, The Notorious B.I.G., and countless others. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams attended, while Mayor Eric Adams called him a “true hip-hop legend taken too soon” in a social post.

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DJ Mister Cee’s son, DJ Magic, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram:

“Today was a major day for Pops aka DJ Mister Cee… Classon & Lafayette co-naming unveiling. We will never forget you, Pop. I love you and miss you.”

DJ Mister Cee was a true hip-hop legend taken too soon.

Thank you for all you gave to the culture and to Brooklyn. This street co-naming will honor your lasting legacy. pic.twitter.com/NYXeSAYFDz

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 10, 2025

Mister Cee — born Calvin LeBrun — passed away April 10, 2024, at age 57. The New York City Medical Examiner listed his cause of death as diabetes-related coronary artery and kidney disease.

VMAs 2025: Gaga, Bruno Mars, Lamar Top Nominations; Beyoncé Could Make History

Beyoncé, tied with Taylor Swift as the VMAs’ most awarded artist with 26 wins, is up for Artist of the Year at the 2025 ceremony. A win would put her alone in first place. 

The MTV Video Music Awards are back — and hip-hop is once again at the heart of the conversation. The 2025 nominations, announced Tuesday, blend chart‑topping pop dominance with a deep bench of rap and R&B heavyweights, setting up one of the most competitive races in recent memory.

Lady Gaga leads all artists with 12 nods, followed closely by Bruno Mars (11) and Kendrick Lamar (10), whose “Not Like Us” became both a hit record and a cultural rallying cry. Rosé and Sabrina Carpenter earned eight apiece, while Ariana Grande and The Weeknd pulled seven each. Billie Eilish grabbed six.

For hip-hop and R&B, the ballot reads like a celebration of legends and next‑gen stars. Lamar is nominated in major categories including Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop, while LL Cool J returns to the VMAs ballot alongside Eminem for “Murdergram Deux.” Drake, Doechii, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Travis Scott and PartyNextDoor also secured key nods. In R&B, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, SZA, Summer Walker and The Weeknd lead a lineup that reflects the genre’s continued chart and cultural dominance.

The race for most‑ever VMA wins could see history made: Beyoncé, tied with Taylor Swift at 26 career wins, is up for Artist of the Year. A win would put her alone in first place, extending her reign as the show’s most awarded artist.

First‑time nominees add new flavor to the mix. Brent Faiyaz and Mac Miller (posthumously) are both recognized, along with Gigi Perez, The Marías and Lainey Wilson. Rosé earns her first solo nods — eight in total — signaling a breakout year for the Blackpink member.

New categories — Best Country and Best Pop Artist — widen the field, but hip-hop’s fingerprints are everywhere, from Lamar’s collaborations with SZA to Travis Scott’s double Afrobeats nominations.

The 2025 VMAs air live Sunday, Sept. 7, from UBS Arena in New York, simulcast on CBS, MTV and streaming on Paramount+. Fan voting is open through Sept. 5 at vote.mtv.com, with special “power hours” and Instagram boosts in select categories.

Full List of 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees

Nominees are listed in alphabetical order by first name. (**) = New category.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment

Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records

Kendrick Lamar – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – Interscope Records

Morgan Wallen – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

The Weeknd – XO/Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Alex Warren – “Ordinary” – Atlantic Records

Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Darkroom/Interscope Records

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Gracie Abrams – “I Love You, I'm Sorry” – Interscope Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Lorde – “What Was That” – Republic Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Tate McRae – “Sports Car” – RCA Records

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST

Alex Warren – Atlantic Records

Ella Langley – SAWGOD/Columbia Records

Gigi Perez – Island

Lola Young – Island

Sombr – SMB Music/Warner Records

The Marías – Nice Life/Atlantic Records

BEST POP ARTIST **

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Charli XCX – Atlantic Records

Justin Bieber – Def Jam Recordings

Lorde – Republic Records

Miley Cyrus – Columbia Records

Sabrina Carpenter – Island

Tate McRae – RCA Records

MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Aug 2024 – Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood/Empire

Sept 2024 – Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin Records/Republic Records

Oct 2024 – Mark Ambor – “Belong Together” – Hundred Days Records/Virgin Music

Nov 2024 – Lay Bankz – “Graveyard” – Artist Partner Group Inc.

Dec 2024 – Dasha – “Bye Bye Bye” – Warner Records

Jan 2025 – Katseye – “Touch” – Hybe/Geffen Records

Feb 2025 – Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani” – 300 Entertainment

Mar 2025 – Leon Thomas – “Yes It Is” – EZMNY Records/Motown Records

Apr 2025 – Livingston – “Shadow” – Republic Records

May 2025 – Damiano David – “Next Summer” – Sony Italy/Arista Records

June 2025 – Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” – Island

July 2025 – Role Model – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” – Interscope Records

BEST COLLABORATION

Bailey Zimmerman with Luke Combs – “Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)” – Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville

Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “Luther” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton – “Pour Me A Drink” – Mercury Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Sunset Blvd” – SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

BEST POP

Alex Warren – “Ordinary” – Atlantic Records

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST HIP-HOP

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

Drake – “Nokia” – OVO/Santa Anna/Republic

Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records

GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red – “Whatchu Kno About Me” – CMG/Interscope Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

LL Cool J ft. Eminem – “Murdergram Deux” – Def Jam Recordings

Travis Scott – “4x4” – Cactus Jack/Epic Records

BEST R&B

Chris Brown – “Residuals” – Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records

Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – “Mutt (Remix)” – EZMNY Records/Motown Records

Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” – Gamma.

PARTYNEXTDOOR – “N o C h i l l” – OVO Sound

Summer Walker – “Heart Of A Woman” – LVRN/Interscope Records

SZA – “Drive” – Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA Records

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless” – XO/Republic Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Gigi Perez – “Sailor Song” – Island

Imagine Dragons – “Wake Up” – KIDinaKorner/Interscope Records

Lola Young – “Messy” – Island

mgk & Jelly Roll – “Lonely Road” – EST 19XX/Interscope Records

Sombr – “back to friends” – SMB Music/Warner Records

The Marías – “Back To Me” – Nice Life/Atlantic Records

BEST ROCK

Coldplay – “All My Love” – Atlantic Records

Evanescence – “Afterlife (From the Netflix Series 'Devil May Cry')” – Netflix Music

Green Day – “One Eyed Bastard” – Reprise Records/Warner Records

Lenny Kravitz – “Honey” – Roxie Records Inc./BMG Rights Management GmbH

Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine” – Warner Records

Twenty One Pilots – “The Contract” – Fueled By Ramen

BEST LATIN

Bad Bunny – “Baile Inolvidable” – Rimas Entertainment

J Balvin – “Rio” – Capitol Records

Karol G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” – Bichota Records/Interscope Records

Peso Pluma – “La Patrulla” – Double P Records

Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – “Khé?” – Sony Music US Latin

Shakira – “Soltera” – Sony Music US Latin

BEST K-POP

Aespa – “Whiplash” – SM Entertainment/Virgin Music Group

Jennie – “like JENNIE” – OA Entertainment/Columbia Records

Jimin – “Who” – BigHit Music

Jisoo – “Earthquake” – Warner Records

Lisa ft. Doja Cat & Raye – “Born Again” – Lloud Co./RCA Records

Stray Kids – “Chk Chk Boom” – JYP/Imperial/Republic

Rosé – “toxic till the end” – Atlantic Records

BEST AFROBEATS

Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” – YBNL Nation/Empire

Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa” – Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records

Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – “Shake It To The Max (Fly) (Remix)” – Gamma.

Rema – “Baby (Is It A Crime)” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd./Jonzing World Entertainment/Interscope Records

Tems ft. Asake – “Get It Right” – RCA Records/Since ’93

Tyla – “Push 2 Start” – FAX Records/Epic Records

Wizkid ft. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece Of My Heart” – Starboy/RCA Records

BEST COUNTRY **

Chris Stapleton – “Think I'm In Love With You” – Mercury Nashville

Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood – “I’m Gonna Love You” – CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville

Jelly Roll – “Liar” – BBR Music Group/BMG/Republic Records

Lainey Wilson – “4x4xU” – Broken Bow Records

Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” – Columbia Records

Morgan Wallen – “Smile” – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

BEST ALBUM

Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” – Rimas Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar – “GNX” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Mayhem” – Interscope Records

Morgan Wallen – “I'm The Problem” – Big Loud Records/Mercury Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Short n' Sweet” – Island

The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

BEST LONG FORM VIDEO

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Bad Bunny – “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)” – Rimas Entertainment

Damiano David – “Funny Little Stories” – Sony Italy/Arista Records

Mac Miller – “Balloonerism” – Warner Records

Miley Cyrus – “Something Beautiful” – Columbia Records

The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Burna Boy – “Higher” – Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic Records

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

Eminem ft. Jelly Roll – “Somebody Save Me” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records

Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco – “Younger And Hotter Than Me” – SMG Music/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records

Zach Hood ft. Sasha Alex Sloan – “Sleepwalking” – Arista Records

BEST DIRECTION

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST ART DIRECTION

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Lorde – “Man Of The Year” – Republic Records

Miley Cyrus – “End of the World” – Columbia Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Miley Cyrus – “Easy Lover” – Columbia Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST EDITING

Charli XCX – “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) – Atlantic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Sapphire” – Gingerbread Man Records/Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)” – Atlantic Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

FKA twigs – “Eusexua” – Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Tyla – “Push 2 Start” – FAX Records/Epic Records

Zara Larsson – “Pretty Ugly” – Epic Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

Rosé & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1: The Movie)” – Atlantic Records

The Weeknd – “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – XO/Republic Records

Victory Pours and Big Mama Vibes: Latto Leads New D’Ussé Push

Latto stars in the new D’Ussé Friday campaign, revealing the brand’s VSOP Magnum Edition bottle as her “mystery date” in a short film that nods to her Atlanta roots, upcoming music and swirling public speculation linking her to a well-known rapper. 

D’Ussé Friday is back — and this time, it’s more than just a toast.

Once a Roc Nation office tradition that marked the end of a hard week, the cognac-fueled ritual returns as a national campaign led by Grammy-nominated rapper Latto. The summer relaunch arrives with a cheeky short film where Latto reveals her “mystery date” — not a man, but the D’Ussé VSOP Magnum Edition bottle.

But beyond the gimmick is a cultural reset. The campaign centers on what it calls “victory pours” — an attempt to shift from grind culture to a space of acknowledgment and pause. With her “Big Mama” persona in full effect, Latto headlines a slate of events in Atlanta and elsewhere alongside breakout singer-songwriter Ravyn Lenae.

There’s even a custom cocktail — the “D’Ussé Peach Lemonade” — referencing her 2024 "Georgia Peach" LP and Atlanta roots.

At face value, it's a seasonal brand push. But behind it lies a long, complex relationship between hip-hop and cognac.

Long before Jay-Z’s involvement, cognac was embedded in rap’s DNA — from Tupac’s odes to Hennessy to luxury shoutouts by Busta Rhymes and Biggie. By the 2000s, the drink had become a staple in Black nightlife and music videos. Analysts estimate that Black consumers have accounted for over 60 percent of cognac’s U.S. sales in past decades — despite having little ownership in the brands they helped build.

That changed in 2012 when Jay-Z co-founded D’Ussé with Bacardi, shifting from endorsement to equity. His role was more than symbolic. Even after selling his majority stake in 2023 in a deal that reportedly valued the company at $750 million, D’Ussé's cultural identity remains inseparable from the blueprint he authored.

This latest rollout doesn’t just reference that legacy — it extends it. While Latto and Ravyn Lenae are the campaign’s faces, the undercurrent is about reclaiming space — economically, culturally, and narratively.

“Everyone knows the grind is nonstop and a lot of times we're not taking a second to celebrate the wins,” Latto said in the official announcement. Her quote, while polished, reinforces a larger truth: in a culture that prizes hustle, the pause often says just as much.

The campaign arrives at a time when more artists are taking control of their narratives — not just what they drink or promote, but what they own and influence.

What began as a low-key Friday tradition inside Roc Nation now lives as something bigger — a nod to the long week, the long road, and the longer game.

Victory, in this case, is served with context.

Beyoncé Closes Record-Breaking ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ With Destiny’s Child Reunion

Michelle Williams, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland reunite as Destiny’s Child during the final stop of the "Cowboy Carter Tour" in Las Vegas, Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Photo via Beyoncé/Instagram)

It wasn’t just a tour — it was a statement.

Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter Tour" wrapped Saturday night in Las Vegas, bringing 32 stadium shows to a triumphant close. The tour grossed $407.6 million and sold 1.6 million tickets, according to Billboard Boxscore — officially making it the highest-grossing country music tour of all time.

Cowboy Carter Tour: By the Numbers

• Total Gross: $407.6 million
• Total Tickets Sold: 1.6 million
• Average Gross Per Show: $12.7 million
• Average Attendance Per Show: 49,900
• Average Ticket Price: $255.36
• Highest-Grossing City: New York City — $70.3M (5 shows)
• Most Shows in One City: London — 6 nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Boxscore Records Broken: 40+
• Tour Cities: 9 (New York, L.A., Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, D.C., Paris, London, Las Vegas)

That record builds on her 2023 "Renaissance World Tour," which grossed $579.8 million, setting the bar for R&B tours. With both tours surpassing $400 million, Beyoncé is now the first woman and first American artist to achieve that twice — a distinction shared only with Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and the Rolling Stones.

Instead of touring dozens of cities, Beyoncé centered the "Cowboy Carter Tour" on nine stadium markets: New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Paris, London and Las Vegas. Each stop featured multi-night residencies. Her five shows at MetLife Stadium in New York sold 250,000 tickets and grossed $70.3 million, making it reportedly the highest-grossing single-venue run ever reported by Boxscore. In London, six nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium generated $61.4 million from 275,000 fans.

In her hometown of Houston, Beyoncé played two shows at NRG Stadium. In L.A., five at SoFi Stadium. In Atlanta, four nights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On average, the tour pulled in $12.7 million per night, drew about 49,900 fans per show, and commanded an average ticket price of $255.36. She reportedly broke more than 40 individual Boxscore records during the run.

DESTINY'S CHILD ENDING THE COWBOY CARTER TOUR WITH A BANG !!!!!!!!!#CowboyCarterTour #Beyonce pic.twitter.com/pRR15ZXyYq

— KaMorian (Sparkling Alien 💫) (@ka_morian0121) July 27, 2025

The finale in Las Vegas delivered the tour’s most unforgettable moment: Destiny’s Child reunited onstage for the first time since Coachella 2018. Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams joined Beyoncé for a high-energy medley that included “Lose My Breath,” “Bootylicious,” and “Energy,” complete with the crowd-favorite “mute challenge.” Jay-Z made a surprise appearance for “Crazy in Love” and “N——s in Paris,” while Shaboozey joined her for their country collaboration “Sweet Honey Buckin’.” Blue Ivy also appeared, drawing loud cheers as she performed choreography from “Déjà Vu” — one last nod to family and legacy before the curtain fell.

 Top-Grossing Country Tours of All Time

1. Beyoncé — "Cowboy Carter Tour" (2024): $407.6 million
2. George Strait — "Cowboy Rides Away Tour" (2014): $100+ million
3. Shania Twain — "Come On Over Tour" (1998–99): $95+ million
4. Garth Brooks — "World Tour" (1996–98): $93+ million
5. Kenny Chesney — "Trip Around the Sun Tour" (2018): $87 million

Source: Billboard Boxscore, confirmed July 22, 2025

The "Cowboy Carter Tour" was more than a financial juggernaut — it was a reinvention. With live instrumentation, southern visual motifs, and an unapologetically Black Southern narrative, Beyoncé reshaped what a modern country concert experience could be.

Critics heralded the tour’s ambition and storytelling. Rolling Stone deemed it “a masterclass in genre liberation”; Variety called it “a transformational moment in country” — not just because of the blockbuster numbers, but because of what it stood for.

Before Beyoncé, the highest-grossing country tour belonged to George Strait’s "Cowboy Rides Away Tour" from 2014, which grossed just over $100 million. Beyoncé’s total completely redefined that standard.

With "Cowboy Carter," Beyoncé didn’t just break records. She reimagined them.

Watch: 'Hip Hop Was Born Here' Goes Deeper Than Diamonds in LL Cool J’s Soulful New Series

It doesn’t just start in New York — it starts with the truth.

That’s the heartbeat behind “Hip Hop Was Born Here,” a new five-part docuseries hosted, executive produced, and co-created by LL Cool J that debuted Tuesday on Paramount+. More than a nostalgic look back, the project is a cultural reckoning — a reclaiming of hip-hop’s roots, spirit, and legacy.

Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Rock The Bells, and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, the series journeys through the boroughs and birthplaces of hip-hop. It puts a spotlight not on flashy headlines or rap beefs but on the origin stories that shaped the genre from block parties to global dominance.

“You really want to understand hip-hop?” LL said in a recent CBS interview about the show. “Then you need to understand the spirit behind it. The dreams of making it out. The messages of empowerment. That’s what this is about.”

Through interviews with legends like Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Method Man, Rev Run, Roxanne Shanté, Salt of Salt-N-Pepa, and more, “Hip Hop Was Born Here” traces how the genre was built — not in boardrooms or algorithms, but on stoops, subways, and street corners.

“It’s not about who’s on the cover of Forbes,” LL says. “It’s about the art, the inspiration, the real message behind the culture.”

He brings that message to life not just as a host, but as a fan. Throughout the series, he joins guests in freestyle sessions, revisits formative neighborhoods, and seamlessly quotes verses mid-conversation. The result is something both journalistic and deeply personal — a tribute told by someone who lived it.

Viewers can expect candid moments, like Rev Run reminiscing about bringing turntables out to the front stoop or Salt talking about what first moved her to rhyme. LL COOL J connects each thread with the respect of a curator and the reverence of a student, learning new things even after decades as one of hip-hop’s most decorated icons.

“This was about going deeper — not just what happened, but why it mattered,” he told CBS. “It’s about artists tapping into who they really are, and where that energy came from.”

“Hip Hop Was Born Here” arrives just weeks after LL’s return to the charts with “The FORCE,” his 2024 Q-Tip–produced album that helped mark the 40th anniversary of Def Jam and made LL the first rapper to chart Billboard entries across five decades. He also remains the driving force behind Rock The Bells, the platform and SiriusXM channel dedicated to preserving hip-hop’s golden era.

But here, LL trades performer for documentarian. He invites audiences to reflect on the question he poses to each guest: What does legacy mean to you?

Maybe the answer lies in one of the show’s opening scenes: LL pointing to the same Bronx street corner where DJ Kool Herc once set up his speakers and changed music forever.

Or maybe it’s in the boom boxes, the basement tapes, the stripped-down hunger of a generation that refused to be silenced.

“Hip Hop Was Born Here” doesn’t just tell you where it all began — it reminds you why it still matters.

All five episodes are now streaming on Paramount+.

Actor-Musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Costa Rica Drowning Accident

Malcolm-Jamal Warner performs with his band Miles Long at a live show in Atlanta in 2022. Warner, who died Sunday in Costa Rica at age 54, earned Grammy recognition for blending jazz-funk bass lines with spoken-word poetry. (Screenshot via YouTube/Miles Long Live, “Spark & Tingle” performance)

Malcolm‑Jamal Warner — Emmy‑nominated actor turned Grammy‑winning bassist and spoken‑word poet
— drowned Sunday while swimming with relatives at Playa Cocles on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. He was 54.

According to Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department, Warner was caught in a rip current and died of accidental asphyxia. News of his death was confirmed Monday.

Born August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner gained national attention as a teenager playing Theo Huxtable on the NBC sitcom “The Cosby Show.” His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and made him a cultural icon — but that role would become just the first act in a lifelong creative journey.

 

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A post shared by Malcolm-Jamal Warner (@malcolmjamalwar)

Off camera, Warner developed a parallel career as a musician, forming the jazz‑funk spoken‑word band Miles Long. Across multiple studio releases — including “The Miles Long Mixtape,” “Love & Other Social Issues,” “Selfless,” and “Hiding in Plain View” — Warner blended upright bass grooves with socially conscious lyrics and poetic monologues. His work drew on influences from classic soul, jazz, and hip‑hop, and earned respect across live music circles and underground poetry communities alike.

 

In 2015, Warner won a Grammy Award for best traditional R&B performance for his contribution to a reinterpretation of Stevie Wonder’s “Jesus Children of America,” recorded by Robert Glasper Experiment and featuring Lalah Hathaway. The track marked Warner’s deepening presence in music as both a collaborator and a creative voice.

“Hiding in Plain View,” released in 2022, received a Grammy nomination in 2023 for best spoken‑word poetry album. Warner’s delivery — intimate, urgent, and rooted in tradition — stood out in a crowded field and solidified his reputation as more than a former TV star.

Beyond the stage and studio, Warner remained active in television, with notable roles on “Malcolm & Eddie,” “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” “Reed Between the Lines,” and “The Resident.” He also used his platform to elevate community dialogue through the podcast “Not All Hood,” which launched in 2023 and featured conversations centered around Black identity, mental health, and creativity.

🎸 SIDEBAR: Malcolm‑Jamal Warner’s Music Legacy

Band: Miles Long
Genre: Jazz‑funk / Spoken word / Neo‑soul
Role: Bassist, bandleader, spoken‑word poet

---

🎧 Key Albums:

• “The Miles Long Mixtape” (2004)
  Warner’s first full-length musical release — a raw blend of funk basslines and lyrical poetry.
• “Love & Other Social Issues” (2007)
  A concept project tackling relationships, politics, and social justice through groove‑driven arrangements.
• “Selfless” (2015)
  Featured collaborations with Lalah Hathaway. “Spark & Tingle” became a standout track.
• “Hiding in Plain View” (2022)
  Career-defining work nominated for a 2023 Grammy for best spoken-word poetry album.

🏆 Grammy Recognition:

• Winner (2015) — Best Traditional R&B Performance
  With Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway on “Jesus Children of America.”
• Nominee (2023) — Best Spoken-Word Poetry Album
  For “Hiding in Plain View.”

🎙️ Live & Beyond:

• Performed at Blue Note, Playboy Jazz Festival, Indy Jazz Fest
• Collaborated with Robert Glasper, Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway
• Hosted podcast “Not All Hood” (2023), focused on Black identity & mental health

Legacy: Warner transformed a TV icon’s spotlight into a mic for truth — fusing rhythm, resistance, and reflection through every bar and bassline.

From 'Abbott Elementary' to 'Dope Thief,' Black Stars Break New Ground at Emmys

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, airing live Sept. 14 on CBS and Paramount+, will spotlight a competitive and diverse field — including record-breaking nominations for Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri and standout first-time nods for Brian Tyree Henry and Tramell Tillman.

The 2025 Emmy nominations just dropped — and while prestige dramas like “Severance,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Penguin” soaked up the most nods, a deeper look reveals a meaningful showing for Black talent across genres, from comedy and drama to limited series and talk shows. In fact, this year's nominations saw approximately 25.5% of all acting nominations go to actors of color, with Black performers making a significant impact across categories.

Black Excellence at the 2025 Emmys

• Quinta Brunson – Nominated for lead actress in a comedy and writing. Ties Tracee Ellis Ross for most lead comedy nods by a Black woman (4 total).
• Ayo Edebiri – First Black woman nominated for both acting and directing in comedy in the same year. Youngest to earn 3 acting Emmy noms.
• Sterling K. Brown – Lead actor nod for "Paradise" marks his seventh series with Emmy recognition, tying Don Cheadle’s record.
• Brian Tyree Henry – Earned a lead actor nod for "Dope Thief." Continues building a standout post-"Atlanta" resume.
• Tramell Tillman – First-time nominee for supporting actor in drama for his breakout role in "Severance."
• Janelle James – Supporting actress nominee for her scene-stealing role in "Abbott Elementary."
• Sheryl Lee Ralph – Repeat supporting nomination for "Abbott Elementary," adding to her late-career Emmy surge.

Winners will be announced at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, live from Los Angeles.

Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph are once again representing for “Abbott Elementary,” both earning repeat nominations for their sharp, hilarious work on the ABC hit. Janelle James also picked up a supporting actress nod, keeping the entire Abbott trio in the race for another year of Emmy love. Notably, Brunson's nomination marks her fourth acting nod, tying her with Tracee Ellis Ross for third most-nominated Black woman in lead comedy actress. She also made history by tying Stefani Robinson for most writing nominations by a Black woman (three total), and is the first to achieve all three writing nominations for a single series.

“The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri landed a nomination for lead actress in a comedy — a major bump from her previous supporting win. Beyond her acting nod, Edebiri also secured a directing nomination for "The Bear" episode "Napkins," making her the first woman nominated for acting and directing in comedy in the same year, and only the second Black woman nominated for comedy directing. At 29, she also becomes the youngest Black woman to receive three Emmy acting nominations. Meanwhile, Sterling K. Brown returned to the drama lead actor field for his role in “Paradise,” a series that continues to build critical momentum after a strong first season. This nomination marks his seventh different series to receive recognition, tying Don Cheadle for the most among Black male performers.

One of the most exciting newcomers? Brian Tyree Henry, nominated for lead actor in a limited series for “Dope Thief.” It’s another milestone for the “Atlanta” standout, who’s quietly building one of the most versatile careers of his generation.

Quick Look: Top Emmy Nominees by Program

• “Severance” (Apple TV+): 27 nominations
• “The Penguin” (HBO): 24 nominations
• “The White Lotus” (HBO): 23 nominations
• “The Studio” (Apple TV+): 23 nominations
• “The Bear” (FX): 13 nominations
• “Abbott Elementary” (ABC): 6 nominations
• “Adolescence” (Netflix): 13 nominations
• “Dying For Sex” (FX): 9 nominations
• “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (MTV): 8 nominations
• “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central): 8 nominations

Full list available at Emmys.com.

Tramell Tillman made waves in “Severance” and earned his first Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a drama, sharing the category with heavyweights like Sam Rockwell and Walton Goggins. Tillman’s breakout role as the chilling Mr. Milchick has become one of the show’s most talked-about performances.

On the reality and variety side, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” picked up another nomination for best competition series, while “The Daily Show,” now led by Jon Stewart, made the cut for outstanding talk series. Both continue to reflect the shifting cultural and political discourse in television.

But for all the deserved nods, the list also left some audiences asking questions. Where was Donald Glover? And what about the cultural juggernaut “Swarm”? While "Swarm" star Dominique Fishback did earn her first Emmy nod in 2023 for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, the series itself was noticeably absent from major nominations this year, despite its impact. Even in a year of expanding representation, some of Black TV’s most experimental and genre-bending work went overlooked.

Still, the 2025 Emmys are shaping up to be one of the most competitive — and culturally rich — in recent memory. From network comedies to Apple TV+ thrillers, the nominations reflect a growing, if uneven, appetite for inclusion and depth in storytelling. Whether the winners follow that trend when the Emmys air September 14 remains to be seen.