Beyoncé’s collaboration with Adidas on her fashionable athletic clothing brand Ivy Park is coming to an end, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The superstar and the German shoe and clothing giant have mutually agreed to part ways, though no specific reason for the termination was mentioned. Earlier this year, reports emerged on weak sales for Ivy Park. THR reports how Beyoncé is "excitedly looking to reclaim her brand, chart her own path and maintain creative freedom".

"When Beyonce and Adidas teamed up on Ivy Park in 2019, it seemed like the sky was the limit. Beyonce wanted a partner that offered creative control. Adidas wanted to replicate Yeezy’s massive success... But the recent Wall Street Journal report of a 50% sales decline and a $200 million drop in Adidas’ sales projections brought a series of challenges to light" - Trapital's Dan Runcie points out in his latest memo. "There were uninspired drops, less enthused customers, and creative tension... It’s very difficult to push a celebrity-influenced direct-to-consumer product in the social media era without that celebrity promoting the brand in an accessible way... It’s a reminder that even the most powerful celebrities still need product-market fit and alignment with business partners to succeed. “the next Yeezy” never happened."

General sale tickets for the UK leg of Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance‘ tour were made available yesterday (Tuesday, February 7), however her fans were met with huge queues, NME reports. Fans have reported experiencing glitches on the Ticketmaster website, with others saying they were kicked out of the queue, which reportedly reached 500,000 on some dates. Ticketmaster has since clarified that reports of ‘403’ messages actually refer to the blocking of “known bad traffic”, adding that the site “blocked 1.5million requests of that type today in the London queues alone to ensure real fans get their hands on ticket

Tickets resellers have started posting listings for tickets for Beyoncé's Renaissance tour for as much as $3,000 a ticket, although they don't actually have them, Rolling Stone reports. Some of the best seats for Beyoncé’s So-Fi Stadium show in Los Angeles in September are selling for $3,064 per ticket on VividSeats. The cheapest were listed at $570. This isn't the first such case - tickets for Fall Out Boy’s 'So Much For (Tour) Dust' Tour were listed on resale sites the day before the official start of sale for hundreds of dollars a ticket.

Beyoncé headlined the private concert in Dubai to mark the opening of the luxury hotel Atlantis The Royal last weekend, which was her first full concert in more than four years, BBC reports. Beyoncé reportedly received $24m for her performance. She performed 19 songs, but the show did not contain any material from Beyoncé’s 2022 album 'Renaissance', which is purported to be a love letter to Black and queer dance music pioneers and communities. Homosexuality is illegal in the United Arab Emirates and considered a crime punishable by death.

"The past felt particularly not dead and especially not past on many of the year’s most acclaimed and most consumed albums. So much music deemed notable by critics and audiences alike in 2022 was profoundly shaped by the pandemic, the quarantine era in particular, giving it a temporal wooziness" - Jezebel reflects on the effects the pandemic has had on recent albums by Björk, Rosalia, Bad Bunny, Beyonce, and others.

"2022 was the year of the comeback. As the music industry stumbled out of its pandemic fog, many artists finally delivered long delayed, highly anticipated, and sonically experimental albums that met some of the expectations built up for them" - Pitchfork introduces its Top 50 albums of 2022 list. The top 10 are:

10. Alex G: 'God Save the Animals'

9. Yaya Bey: 'Remember Your North Star'

8. Lucrecia Dalt: '¡Ay!'

7. Big Thief: 'Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You'

6. Rosalía: 'Motomami'

5. Bad Bunny: 'Un Verano Sin Ti'

4. Special Interest: 'Endure'

3. Alvvays: 'Blue Rev'

2. Sudan Archives: 'Natural Brown Prom Queen'

1. Beyoncé: 'Renaissance'

Beyoncé and Lizzo amended their songs following criticism by fans on social media. The Face argues in favor of the (responsible) power of the people: "In the case of ​“sp*z” and derogatory terms in music, cultural customs (i.e. the use of problematic terms when ignorant) don’t necessarily align with the ​“right” and ​“justified” action in real time. Values change over time, and so does the context of certain words. It’s OK for artists to learn, like every flawed human on the planet. Evolution and dismantling harmful practices is something to be embraced and welcomed, not scrutinised. These days, artists are scanning social media for feedback and potential edit suggestions. Let’s hope the fans use their power responsibly".

Beyoncé was robbed two times in the last month - three separate storage units holding expensive bags and clothing were hit once, and then within a week burglars came back to the same facility, making off with handbags, kids toys, and photos belonging to one of Beyoncé’s stylists, TMZ reports. Stolen goods are estimated to value $1 million.

Taylor Swift has become the first woman in Grammy Awards history to win album of the year three times - the 31-year-old songstress took home the top prize last night with 'Folklore'. Swift previously won album of the year in 2010 for 'Fearless', at that time, the youngest artist ever to do so, and in 2016 for '1989'. The only other musicians to win thrice are Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Simon, USA Today reports. Beyoncé became the most-decorated woman in Grammys history with her 28th win, while her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, at 9 years old, became the second youngest person to win a Grammy, according to CBS News. Billie Eilish accepted the Grammy for Record of the Year for her song 'Everything I Wanted', Megan Thee Stallion won Best New Artist, H.E.R. took Song of the Year for 'I Can't Breathe', Check out all the nominees and winners here. BBC picks out five special moments from the ceremony, including Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion simulating sex onstage (a Scissor Sisters moment, right!?).

The Ringer points out to the fact that makes it seem like the last 20 years hadn't ever happened, according to the Grammys at least. So, Beyonce hasn't won Album of the Year Grammy, Kendrick Lamar hasn't won album of the year, and Kanye West hasn't. The Ringer wants us to ignore the Grammys. Why not repair it?!?

Adele has been named as the UK’s best-selling female album artist of the century by The British Phonographic Industry, according to Music Week. She holds the top spot above the stars such as P!nk, Madonna, Rihanna, Dido, Amy Winehouse, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga. Her second album, ‘21‘, also holds the title for the UK’s number one album by a female artist since 2000, after shifting just shy of 6 million copies in the UK alone. The new statistics have been unveiled to coincide with the confirmed return of National Album Day on October 21, which will adopt ‘Celebrating Women In Music’ as its 2021 theme.

Diddy handed out $50 bills, as well as $50 Publix supermarket gift cards and bags containing hygiene products to a massive crowd in Miami Overtown neighborhood, Complex reports (watch the video below). Diddy's Sean Combs Foundation is also giving a grant to an organization that will help 175 households pay their rent throughout the health crisis. Beyonce added an ironic twist to her gifts - she gifted her friends a gold, diamond-encrusted chain that reads "2020", shaped like a hand giving the middle finger, Billboard reports.

Blue Ivy Carter has become one of the youngest Grammy nominees in history - the eight-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z was added to the nominees for best music video for her mother's 'Brown Skin Girl', People reports. Leah Peasall of The Peasall Sisters is the youngest Grammy nominee (and winner) as one of the credited artists on the 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' she was eight at the time. Deleon Richards is the youngest performer to receive an individual nomination - she was nominated at 8 1/2 years old for a 1985 award for best soul/gospel performance, female for her album 'Deleon'.

Beyoncé scored nine nominations for the Grammys, including song and record of the year bids with 'Black Parade', as well as best R&B song and best R&B performance, CBS reports. Beyoncé's 'Black Is King' film that highlighted Black art, music, history and fashion is up for best music film while 'Brown Skin Girl', a song dedicated to dark- and brown-skinned women, is nominated for best music video. Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Roddy Ricch earned six nominations each. Check out the complete nominees list - here.

Global stars like Beyonce, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj have spoken out against police brutality in Nigeria, which has also drawn attention of the Amnesty International who reported about - "excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos". Nigerian musicians like Burna Boy, Davido, WizKid, Tiwa Savage, and Mr. Eazi have lent their voices to the #EndSARS movement, The Fader reports. SARS, or the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, was the name of Nigeria's notoriously cruel police unit, which was reportedly dissolved earlier this month.

Beyoncé has shared the new trailer for 'Black Is King', new visual album written, directed and executive produced by singer, and inspired by 'The Lion King: The Gift', the All Hip Hop reports. “The film reimagines the lessons from the 2019 blockbuster for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns” Disney said. 'Black Is King' will feature guests Jay-Z, fellow Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, Pharrell Williams, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, models Aweng Ade-Chuol and Adut Akech and many of the artists that appear on 'The Gift' album. 'Black Is King' is truly a multicultural film, since it was filmed in New York, Los Angeles, South Africa, West Africa, London and Belgium using local actors and dancers.

Big winners at the 2020 BET Awards included Migos (Best Group), Lizzo (Best Female R&B/Pop Artist), Megan Thee Stallion (Best Female Hip Hop Artist), DaBaby (Best Male Hip-Hop Artist), Roddy Ricch was named Best New Artis while his album 'Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial' won Album of the Year, and Beyonce’s 'Brown Skin Girl' (HER Award). Chris Brown won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Best Collaboration ('No Guidance' featuring Drake), and DJ Khaled won Video Of The Year for 'Higher' featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend. Check out the full list of nominees and winners at Deadline. Public Enemy joined forces with Nas, The Roots’ Questlove and Black Thought, YG, and Rapsody for a special performance of 'Fight the Power' to kick off the 2020 BET Award - watch here, and Alicia Keys gave a powerful performance of 'Perfect Way to Die'.

Billie Eilish shared her anger over the killing of Rayshard Brooks in an Instagram post - “man FUCK. watching this video made me so fucking angry”, she wrote aside a photo of Brooks. “FUCK THIS SHIT. JUSTICE FOR RAYSHARD BROOKS. FUCK THIS SHIIIIIIIIT. #justiceforrayshard !!!! WHY ISNT EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT THIS??”, Billie Eilish added. On Friday, Brooks was shot in the back and killed while fleeing after Wendy’s employee called police to report a man sleeping in their drive-thru, Billboard reports. Eilish’s brother Finneas also reacted to the murder via Instagram: "Asleep in his car in a parking lot. Shot to death. Don’t let yourself be numb to this. Don’t let the world stay this way”. In similar news, Beyoncé has shared an open letter on her website to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, seeking swift justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old emergency room technician who was killed in her home by Louisville police, Time reports. Also, Barbra Streisand has gifted her Disney shares to the young daughter of slain Minnesota man George Floyd, CNN reports.

Beyoncé has teamed up with Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s relief fund #startsmall to make a donation of $6m for mental health and other initiatives during the coronavirus outbreak, Yahoo! Lifestyle reports. Beyoncé said mental burdens were accelerating for people who can’t access basic necessities during the crisis. She also gave support to a range of charities providing those necessities, including food, water, cleaning supplies, medicines, face masks and personal hygiene items.

An interesting and easily read article in the Trapital about partnership between Adidad and Beyonce. It goes back to the 2000s and Adidas' misfortunate start with Reebok, to their change of luck with Kanye West, which makes for a promising deal with Beyonce.

PopMatters chose 29 black music documentaries for Black History Month 2020, and today rounds up the first 10. They had, so far, the Wu-Tang Clan documentary 'Of Mics and Men', Motown docu 'Hitsville', Beyonce's Coachella film 'Homecoming', Bette Davis' 'They Say I'm Different' etc. The rest is coming by the end of the month.

Billie Eilish became the first woman in Grammy history to sweep the Big Four awards: album, record and song of the year plus best new artist. The first artist ever to win the big four awards was Christopher Cross 39 years ago. Eilish took album of the year for her debut, 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?', becoming the youngest album of the year winner in Grammy history (she is 18), easily topping Taylor Swift, who was 20 when she won a decade ago for 'Fearless'. She's also the youngest record of the year winner, with 'Bad Guy', in Grammy history - before her, the youngest were Kimbra and Sam Smith (both were 22 when they won). Also, Eilish's collaborator and older brother Finneas (22), is the youngest winner of producer of the year, non-classical in the category's history. Lizzo took best urban contemporary album for 'Cuz I Love You (Deluxe)', Tyler, the Creator's 'Igor' won best rap album, The Chemical Brothers' 'No Geography' won best dance/electronic album, Cage the Elephant took best rock album with 'Social Cues', Vampire Weekend took best alternative music album with 'Father of the Bride', the late Nipsey Hussle won his first Grammy for best rap performance for 'Racks in the Middle', Tool won best metal performance for '7empest', Beyoncé's 'Homecoming' won best music film, former First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Becoming' won best spoken word record...

Brooklyn Vegan combed through the 2010s as well and came up with 141 best albums of the last ten years (it was a shame to kick out Leonard Cohen, right?!? :_) ). The first ten are: 10. The National – 'Trouble Will Find Me Read More' 9. PJ Harvey – 'Let England Shake' 8. Beyonce […]

"If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick” - Barack Obama said in his post on social media, where he listed his favorite songs of 2019. There’s 'Redesigning Women' from […]

Dr. Dre hasn’t released an album since 2015, haven't been on tour since the turn of the millennium, and his last production credit on a No. 1 hit was in 2009 (Eminem’s 'Crack a Bottle'), but still he managed to climb to the top of Forbes list of highest-earning musician of this decade. He earned […]

So, in categories - for Best Original Score – Motion Picture the nominees are Alexandre Desplat for 'Little Women', Hildur Guðnadóttir for 'Joker', Randy Newman for 'Marriage Story', Thomas Newman for '1917', and Daniel Pemberton for 'Motherless Brooklyn'. Best Original Song – Motion Picture nominees include Andrew Lloyd Webber & Taylor Swift‘s 'Beautiful Ghosts' from […]

They are the architect of the sad-banger, the creative genius, a long shadow over a tough decade, the pop icon redefining gender, the voice of the next generation, the survivor, the relatable superstar, the saviour of grime, rock frontperson 2.0 and the hip hop’s boundary-pusher. NME...

The Guardian has an excellent article about female role models of this decade, in comparison to the ones from the noughties: "In their fallibility and resistance to commodification, the women who have defined this decade in pop look a lot more like role models than the corporate innocents sold to girls in the early millennium. […]

Beyonce has been blocked in an attempt to trademark her daughter’s name Blue Ivy by wedding planner Wendy Morales, who claims that she was using the name first, People magazine reports. Beyonce’s legal team argue that Blue Ivy, her eldest child with Jay-Z, is a “cultural icon” and a “mini style star”, "daughter of two […]