Music World Buzz: SZA, Lamar Head to Super Bowl; Record Store Day Taps Post Malone Amid Industry Losses

January 24, 2025, marked a day of significant developments across the global music landscape, featuring major announcements regarding high-profile events, reflections on industry figures lost, shifts in artist careers, and a flurry of new releases.

Super Bowl and Record Store Day Take Center Stage

Anticipation is building for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, as critically acclaimed artist SZA is set to join Kendrick Lamar for the highly anticipated performance. The pairing brings together two formidable talents known for pushing creative boundaries, promising a dynamic spectacle for the millions watching worldwide. This announcement immediately became a focal point of discussion among fans and industry observers.

Meanwhile, the annual celebration of independent music retailers, Record Store Day, has named multi-platinum artist Post Malone as its official ambassador for 2025. Malone, whose diverse musical output spans genres, will lend his voice to promote the importance of local record shops and physical music formats, a key moment for the vibrant vinyl and collector’s market.

Honoring Musical Legacies: Garth Hudson and John Sykes

The music community paused today to mourn the passing of two influential figures. Garth Hudson, the last surviving founding member of the legendary group The Band, died at the age of 87. Known for his mastery of keyboards and woodwinds, Hudson’s unique contributions were integral to The Band’s groundbreaking sound, which blended rock, country, and blues. His passing marks the end of an era for one of music’s most revered ensembles.

Also reported was the death of guitarist John Sykes at 65. Sykes left an indelible mark on rock music through his work with prominent bands including Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, among others. His powerful playing and distinctive style influenced a generation of musicians, and his contributions to classic albums are widely celebrated.

Market Insights and Artist Movements

In the realm of music memorabilia, Bob Dylan’s original handwritten lyrics for his iconic song “Mr. Tambourine Man” reportedly fetched a staggering price, selling for over $500K. The sale underscores the enduring cultural and financial value placed on artifacts from music history’s most significant figures.

Artist news also saw prominent updates. Robert Smith, the enigmatic frontman of the band X, announced his departure from the group. The reasons for his decision and future plans for X remain subjects of interest following this significant change in their lineup.

Pop superstar Justin Bieber appears poised for a return to recording, with reports indicating he is back in the studio creating new music. This development has sparked excitement among his global fanbase, eager for fresh material from the artist.

Adding a behind-the-scenes perspective, producer Mustard revealed that multiple rappers had initially turned down the beat that would eventually become Kendrick Lamar’s hit track “Hey Now.” This anecdote offers insight into the often unpredictable journey of a musical composition.

Touring and Live Performance Updates

The live music circuit continues to ramp up planning for 2025 with several notable tour announcements:

* LCD Soundsystem: The acclaimed electronic-rock band announced a series of spring shows, featuring support from Nation of Language and Gustaf, promising vibrant live performances.
* Morgan Wallen: The country music sensation outlined plans for a new album and a comprehensive tour scheduled for 2025, building on his massive popularity.
* Bright Eyes: Conor Oberst’s indie-rock project, Bright Eyes, detailed plans for a 2025 UK & European tour, bringing their emotive sound across the Atlantic.
* Carl Cox: The legendary DJ Carl Cox announced an Ibiza residency for 2025, confirming his continued presence on the iconic electronic music scene.
* Phish: The improvisational rock band Phish rolled out spring 2025 west coast dates, including highly anticipated shows at the Hollywood Bowl. These specific performances were announced with the aim of benefitting L.A. wildfire relief efforts, coupling music with community support.

A Wave of New Music Releases

The day also saw a substantial number of new tracks and projects entering the market:

New Tracks:

* Travis Scott released his latest single, “4X4.”
* Bruno Mars & Sexy Red collaborated on the track “Fat Juicy & Wet.”
* Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto unveiled their new single, “Zero Sun.”
* Das Koolies previewed their upcoming new album with the single “Som Bom Magnífico.”
* Sister Ray shared the new track “Believer.”
* Bagdad debuted their single “Valley of Dry Bones,” from an upcoming EP.
* Cardboard released their track “Wouldn’t Let You Realise.”
* Larry June linked with 2 Chainz & the Alchemist for the track “Bad Choices.”

New Albums and EPs:

* Linkin Park offered an a cappella version of their track “From Zero.”
* Viagra Boys released their new self-titled album, featuring the single “Man Made Of Meat.”
* Helsinki producers RORO and Snapir dropped their collaborative project, “Colors Left.”
* All You Can Hate released their new album, “Nothing Lasts Forever.”
* Delights shared their new EP titled “If Heaven Looks A Little Like This.”

January 24, 2025, served as a reminder of the music world’s constant state of flux – celebrating future events, mourning past icons, marking industry milestones, tracking artist trajectories, and continually unveiling fresh creative output across genres and formats.