The best pop and classical music to look out for in 2024
Hotly anticipated second albums from the Smile and Olivia Rodrigo, UK tours by L’Rain, Ghetts and Margo Price – plus new takes on Elektra, Simon Boccanegra and more
Kanye West apologises to Jewish community for 2022 antisemitic remarks
Rapper posts message in Hebrew to social media, saying he is ‘committed to making amends and promoting unity’
Kylie, Jen Cloher, Troye Sivan and others: the 17 best Australian albums of 2023
From queer ecstasy to award-winning post-punk, here are our critics’ favourite releases of the year
Blank space: how Taylor Swift – and an aching sense of loss – dominated music in 2023
Away from Swift’s joyous, record-breaking successes, the year’s most acclaimed albums were concerned with death and absence
Rapper YNW Melly’s lyrics could be used against him in double murder retrial
Jamell Demons, known as YNW Melly, to go on trial next year in Florida for allegedly killing two fellow rappers five years ago
Nicki Minaj blocks release of Kanye West collaboration, postponing his new album
New Body, which dates back to 2018, was expected to be released on Friday on West’s album Vultures, with West instead announcing first footwear project ‘since liberation from Adidas’
Busta Rhymes: ‘David Bowie’s Hunky Dory is the illest music ever’
Answering your questions as he releases new album Blockbusta, the veteran MC recalls his childhood in Morecambe, fiery encounters with 2Pac and his love of Benny Hill
Rap Sh!t: Issa Rae’s hip-hop series shines a light on the industry
The second season of Max’s incisive look at the ups and downs of two female rappers feels especially relevant
Little Simz and Stormzy top 2024 Mobo award nominations
Rappers each have four nominations, with Raye, Central Cee, J Hus and PinkPantheress following with three
Kanye West wears Ku Klux Klan-style hood at album listening event
Rapper reportedly denies antisemitism on new album Vultures, a collaboration with vocalist Ty Dolla Sign
The 50 best albums of 2023, No 9 – Amaarae: Fountain Baby
Refusing categorisation, the Ghanaian-American singer’s lavish second album tears through alté, punk, R&B, flamenco, trap, g-funk and soft rock in a voracious pursuit of pleasure
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denies new rape allegation: ‘I will fight for my name’
Hip-hop mogul, who has faced three sexual assault lawsuits recently, accused over 2003 incident when alleged victim was 17
Ice Cube, Cypress Hill, D12 review – old school hip-hop heroes are still masters of the mic
The focus of the 80s and 90s stars’ High Rollers tour is on storytelling rather than flashy staging, but it is a high-intensity show of real fire and focus
The 20 best songs of 2023
Voted on by over 30 Guardian music writers, we celebrate the year’s best tracks from Boygenius to Blur and beyond
Beyoncé: My House review – bold, beat-switching journey to a strobe-lit dancefloor
The new song, which appears on the end credits of concert documentary Renaissance, is thrilling for its change in tempo and anti-commercial stance