Everything We Loved in Music This Week: January 9
Rollout-mode Rocky, a commendable Gov Ball lineup, and starry Bruno Mars return tour make the inaugural 2026 list.
Everything We Loved in Music This Week: January 9
Rollout-mode Rocky, a commendable Gov Ball lineup, and starry Bruno Mars return tour make the inaugural 2026 list.
The first music roundup of 2026 is upon us.
If you’re new here, welcome to Everything We Loved in Music This Week, which is, well, exactly what it sounds like. From the standards – new releases, tour announcements, collaborations, and festival lineup reveals – to the Hypebeast-stamped music moments of the week (like Max B really wholesomely professing his love for HOKAs), you can find it all here. Every Friday at 9 a.m. EST.
I’ll get right into it.
Did Gov Ball Get Its Groove Back?
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Short answer: I think so because it’s looking like the best lineup in ages. A tentpole New York City music moment since its inaugural festival in 2011, The Governor’s Ball definitely peaked at some point, with early performers including The Strokes, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Outkast, and Lana Del Rey. In recent years, however, fans have deemed the lineup rather lackluster, the annual June festival functioning as a reliable weekend plan for locals centered around a few big names. The 2026 lineup, however, is giving old Gov Ball energy. After gracing the stage in 2017, Lorde will return as a headliner, along with Baby Keem (more on that in a minute…), Stray Kids, Kali Uchis, A$AP Rocky, and JENNIE; the perfect mix of classic New York energy and global artistry. Other names on the lineup include 2hollis, WHATMORE, Blood Orange, Ravyn Lenae, Snow Strippers, Jane Remover, Dominic Fike, Geese, Clipse (crazy they’re not a headliner), Japanese Breakfast, Fcukers, and Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist for a joint set.
And Does That Mean Baby Keem Is Too?
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The main insight I’m drawing from the lineup is that this must mean new music is on the way. It’s been crickets from Keem for almost exactly two years now, since he took to socials to breadcrumb some info about his sophomore studio album, including potential album covers and its title, presumed to be child with wolves. He can’t perform The Melodic Blue again, right?
Rolling Loud Scales Back For 2026
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On a similar festival-related note, Rolling Loud is making a major shift for 2026. What grew into a festival with showcases in a laundry list of cities in both the US and abroad, the hip-hop imprint is honing in its focus for the year ahead, only scheduling one US date for the upcoming year. The sole stateside RL festival is slated to go down in Orlando, Florida, on the weekend of May 8th through May 10th at the Camping World Stadium. The lineup has yet to be unveiled, but pre-sale goes live today at 10 a.m. EST. I, for one, was experiencing major Rolling Loud fatigue at the end of last year, so I think it’s the right move.
Geese Is Going On SNL
Nbc Snl
Next Saturday, we’re privy to the first Saturday Night Live episode of the new year, which kicks off with a starry lineup of host Finn Wolfhard and musical guest A$AP Rocky. Earlier this week, NBC rolled out the calendar for the rest of the month, which features host Teyana Taylor and musical guest Geese on January 24, and host Alexander Skarsgård with musical guest Cardi B on January 31. I’m dying for a Teyana x Cameron Winter moment.
Choker Announces First Album in Six Years
It’s official. After six (!!!) years, Choker is returning from his hiatus, bearing the gift of his third studio album. Out February 20 is HEAVEN AIN’T SOLD, which comes preceded by its cover art and lead single “PROOF.”
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A$AP Rocky Kicks It Into High Gear for Don’t Be Dumb Rollout
Rocky had a big week. As the January 16 Don’t Be Dumb release date inches closer, the rapper is in full rollout mode. At the top of the week, he lifted the veil on the album’s proper lead single “Punk Rocky,” a “Sundress”-sounding, indie-esque track that comes paired with a cameo-riddled visual. Winona Ryder stars as Rocky’s next-door neighbor, with Thundercat, Tommy Revenge, and A$AP Nast all playing one of Rocky’s alter egos; these 5 alias identities are the central theme of the album, appearing on the Tim Burton-created cover art.
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The rapper also revealed more merch for the clearly aesthetically defined album, dropping off apparel including “GR1M” flannels, “Rugahand” hoodies, and “Babushka” twofer tops, alongside a Don’t Be Dumb megaphone, roller beanies, and special cassettes and CDS. His slot as a Governor’s Ball 2026 headliner just rounded out the week. There’s no way he can back out of the release now. Though the false start of the “Punk Rocky” music video stream (the countdown ended and a “this video has been removed” message flashed on the screen) did have me thinking otherwise for a minute.
Max B’s Wholesome Love of HOKAs
& I been in the loop I copped like 10 pairs of them hoka hiking joints they in the crib rn COZY Oww
— Max B (@MaxBiggavelli) January 6, 2026
His post on X says it all.
Jordan Ward Drops Off “CHAMPION SOUND”
Slated to drop later this month – and one of our most anticipated imminent releases – Jordan Ward’s BACKWARD is beginning to take shape. On the heels of lead singles “JUICY” and “SMOKIN POTNA” with SAILORR, the St. Louis-based artist has now delivered a third single dubbed “CHAMPION SOUND.”
redveil Shakes the Room for COLORS Performance
For his first-ever appearance on A COLORS SHOW, redveil brought his most explosive energy. Giving a one-of-one performance of sankofa cut “pray 4 me,” the rapper’s wordplay comes to life against a maroon background.
Bruno Mars Is Bringing Anderson .Paak, Leon Thomas, RAYE, and Victoria Monet on Tour
As he readies his return with his first studio record in 10 years, Bruno Mars is also plotting an extensive run of tour dates in tandem. Arriving a decade after 24K Magic in 2016 comes The Romantic, which will come accompanied by a stadium tour running from April through October 2026, also marking his first headline tour in nearly a decade. The supporting acts are just as exciting, spanning Anderson .Paak (as DJ Pee Wee), Victoria Monét, RAYE, and Leon Thomas. A lineup made in modern R&B heaven. As for the album, The Romantic doesn’t have a tracklist yet, but it does have cover art and a release date, on track to drop on streaming services on February 27.
Joji Introduces His Doppelgänger
Pulling a page out of the books of MF DOOM and Earl Sweatshirt, Joji revealed he’s invested in a doppelgänger for the Piss In The Wind press run. Not only did the doppelgänger stand in for Joji’s “PIXELATED KISSES” Genius interview, but he also posed for the Piss In The Wind press images. I’d do the same thing.
James Blake Teases New Music
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Following up on his standout contributions to Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp, James Blake seems to be focusing on his solo discography going into 2026. Blake took to Instagram to share two new clips of music, promoting discourse about whether or not his new project is due out soon.
Nardwuar Makes MIKE Laugh Really Hard
A top-tier first Nardwuar interview of the year. Recorded back at Camp Flog Gnaw 2025, Nardwuar ponders about MIKE’s hotel bookings, chats with his whole crew, and brings an old Nigerian vinyl for him to reminisce on his connection to Nigerian music. It’s MIKE’s laugh that’s the best part. It’s contagious.
Kid Cudi, The Painter
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What can’t Scott Mescudi do? For Kid Cudi’s next act, he’s stepping in front of the canvas under the guise of Scotty Ramon. Ramon’s artist documentary was released just recently, and the multi-hyphenate has since revealed plans to go to Paris for his debut art exhibition. Entitled Echoes of the Past, the show opens on January 31 at the Ruttkowski;68 gallery, complete with 10 paintings.
