stayc main image

Chappell Roan’s ‘The Subway’ Arrives This Week After Teasing Fans for Over a Year

July 31, 2025

After months of anticipation, Chappell Roan has confirmed that her long-awaited single, "The Subway," will officially arrive this Wednesday, July 31, at 8 PM EST. The announcement came via her...

Read more
stayc main image

Black Sabbath Bassist Recalls Final Gig and 57-Year Friendship with Ozzy Osbourne: ‘I Wasn’t Prepared to See How Frail He Was’

July 31, 2025

As the world mourns the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath’s legendary bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler has shared a heartfelt essay about his friendship with the iconic rocker. Butler, who...

Read more
stayc main image

What If Taylor Swift Left Spotify, Again?

July 30, 2025

Taylor Swift deleted her entire repertoire off Spotify in 2014, arguing that the site did not pay musicians fairly. Despite initial criticism as a publicity trick, the action drew international...

Read more
stayc main image

“Back to Friends” by Sombr Is the Gen Z Anthem of Summer

July 30, 2025

Introducing Sombr, an indie-pop musician whose hit song "Back to Friends" is encapsulating the spirit of Generation Z and beyond. The song was first released on December 27, 2024, however it has...

Read more
stayc main image

Billie Marten: “Mostly, artists are in financial ruin – we’re all paying Taylor Swift”

July 30, 2025

Billie Marten, the British singer-songwriter known for her hauntingly beautiful folk-inspired music, has recently shared her thoughts on the financial struggles many artists face in today’s music...

Read more
stayc main image

K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack dominates UK charts as Ozzy Osbourne tributes surge

July 30, 2025

In a surprising twist, the Demon Hunter K-pop soundtrack has claimed the top spot on the UK charts, reflecting the growing influence of the genre beyond its South Korean origins. Meanwhile, the...

Read more
stayc main image

Viral Throwback: Connie Francis’s 1962 Song “Pretty Little Baby” Is TikTok’s Unexpected Anthem

July 30, 2025

This week's noteworthy tale: The 1962 B-side song "Pretty Little Baby," a decades-old deep cut by pop icon Connie Francis, has gone viral on TikTok, exposing a new generation to a voice from the...

Read more
stayc main image

IVE’s ‘Supernova Love’ Blew Up on TikTok, and Now We’re All Orbiting Their Era

July 30, 2025

You’ve heard it. You’ve seen it. You’ve probably tried (and failed) to hit that head flick without dislocating something. Yes, we’re talking about the “Supernova Love” trend, the latest...

Read more
stayc main image

The Weeknd Is Touring the World] and It’s Giving Apocalypse, But Make It Sexy

July 30, 2025

First, he gave us heartbreak. Then he gave us the high notes. Now, The Weeknd is giving world tour energy and yes, it’s cinematic, chaotic, and somehow still deeply romantic. From House of Balloons...

Read more
stayc main image

Rock Your Body Now’ Is the Song That Walked Into the Party, Took the Aux, and Never Gave It Back

July 30, 2025

There’s always that one song. The one that hits the speakers, and suddenly everyone’s doing choreography they didn’t know they knew. That song, right now, is “Rock Your Body Now.” It didn’t just...

Read more
stayc main image

“Like JENNIE”: The Song That Redefines Cool Without Even Trying

July 30, 2025

When JENNIE released “Like JENNIE,” it wasn’t just a comeback, it was a lesson in effortless power. Soft but sharp, understated but unforgettable, the track doesn’t ask for attention. It just...

Read more
stayc main image

Bryson Tiller Is Outside Again And He’s Bringing the Feels Worldwide

July 30, 2025

He’s mysterious. He’s moody. He disappears for years and then shows up like nothing happened with bangers. Yes, Bryson Tiller is officially on a world tour, and if you’ve ever whispered...

Read more

From Scarborough to Stardom: The Weeknd Receives Toronto's Highest Honor Ahead of Homecoming Concerts

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

The Weeknd’s meteoric rise from Toronto’s underground music scene to global superstardom came full circle this weekend as Mayor Olivia Chow presented the Grammy-winning artist with the Key to the City a symbolic gesture cementing his legacy as one of Toronto’s most influential cultural ambassadors.

A Hero’s Welcome!

Amid roaring cheers from fans, Abel Tesfaye (born and raised in Scarborough) accepted the honor ahead of his four sold-out After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour shows at Rogers Centre. “I’m deeply honored,” Tesfaye said in an emotional statement. “Toronto is where I found my voice, and I’m committed to helping the next generation find theirs.”

Mayor Chow didn’t hold back praise: “From Scarborough to the global stage, he’s reshaped modern music while lifting up our communities.” She also declared July 26-27 “Weeknd Weekend” across the city, coinciding with the tour’s first two explosive performances.

More Than Music: The Weeknd’s Toronto Legacy

The ceremony highlighted Tesfaye’s philanthropic ties to his hometown:

  • $500K donation to Scarborough Health Network during COVID-19
  • Support for the University of Toronto’s Ethiopian Studies program
  • Co-founding HXOUSE, a nonprofit incubator for local creatives
  • New pledges to fund Birchmount Park Collegiate (his alma mater) and the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough

“He represents the best of our city,” Chow added, nodding to his blend of artistic innovation and grassroots advocacy.

The Homecoming Concerts: Night 1 Highlights

Fans at the July 27 show were treated to a career-spanning setlist, from early mixtape cuts to Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) hits, plus nostalgic nods to Toronto landmarks. Social media erupted over:

  • A surprise appearance by Toronto rapper Pressa on “Heartless” 
  • A Scarborough-signature roti delivered to him onstage mid-performance
  • A tearful speech: “This city made me believe the impossible was possible.”

What’s Next?

With two more Toronto dates (Aug. 7-8) before the tour’s finale, Tesfaye’s homecoming celebration is far from over. As the After Hours ‘Til Dawn juggernaut supporting his three consecutive Billboard Top 10 albums rolls on, one thing’s clear: The Weeknd’s roots remain as vital as his reach.

From Scarborough to Stardom: The Weeknd Receives Toronto's Highest Honor Ahead of Homecoming Concertsfrom-scarborough-to-stardom-the-weeknd-receives-torontos-highest-honor-ahead-of-homecoming-concertsEbrunida KaradagJul 31, 2025The Weeknd’s meteoric rise from Toronto’s underground music scene to global superstardom came full circle this weekend as Mayor Olivia Chow presented the Grammy-winning artist with the Key to the...