Artists

New Order and Simon Armitage among more than 100 signatories to criticise ‘foolish and shortsighted’ cutsMore than 100 artists, writers and scientists have called for the UK government to save the “world’s clearest eyes on the sky”, after funding for thenetwork of radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank Observatory was slashed.New Order, the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and the poet laureate, Simon Armitage, are among those calling on the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, to save the deep space observatory which includes the Grade I-listed Lovell telescope, prized by astronomers who study galaxies, star formation and planets beyond the solar system. Continue reading...

• BTS has announced they will not submit their album for consideration following the Grammy Awards' introduction of a new Best Asian Pop category. • The group argues that while recognition is a start, creating region-specific categories can hinder true impartial inclusion and integration into mainstream awards. • Critics and supporters suggest that artists from Korea, Japan, India, and the Philippines should instead compete naturally in general categories alongside all global artists.

• BTS fans (ARMY) are criticizing Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. over his previous professional relationships with SM Entertainment and its artists, including NCT and EXO. • The controversy centers on allegations that the newly created "Best Korean Album" or general Asian pop categories may have been designed to favor SM Entertainment artists. • This backlash highlights ongoing tensions regarding the Recording Academy's perceived bias and lack of transparency in recognizing K-pop achievements.

Anthony Albanese will deliver a landmark speech on AI this week as MPs are torn between attracting datacentre investment and protecting the rights of creativesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesWhen Anna Funder stood before a pack of journalists at Parliament House this month, she presented herself not just as a writer but also a “victim of crime”.The Stasiland author was using the analogy to illustrate how technology companies have flagrantly “hoovered up” her literary works for their own profit. Continue reading...

• Tencent Music, Billboard China, and Billboard Korea have announced the winners of a cross-market initiative designed to recognize standout K-pop artists. • Nominees were selected based on their performance on the Tencent Music Korean Chart and recommendations from the Billboard Korea editorial team. • The final winners were determined through a fan voting process, highlighting artists who achieved both high chart rankings and significant popularity.

• A new generation of homegrown Southeast Asian artists, including Thai acts like YOUNGOHM, MILLI, and Joey Phuwasit, are emerging with unique styles that diverge from the traditional K-pop formula. • These artists are leveraging the blueprint established by South Korea's cultural juggernaut, which proved there is a massive global appetite for Asian music. • While regional fame existed in the 1980s and 90s, the unprecedented crossover success of K-pop acts like BTS and Blackpink—highlighted by events like Coachella 2023—has paved the way for others.

• Homegrown artists from Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand and the Philippines, are gaining traction as alternatives to the dominant K-pop formula. • While K-pop achieved unprecedented global mainstream success following Psy’s 2012 hit "Gangnam Style" and recent milestones by BTS and Blackpink, regional acts like YOUNGOHM and MILLI are now carving their own niches. • This shift matters because K-pop's global expansion proved there is a massive international audience for Asian music, paving the way for other regional artists to seek crossover appeal.