Macklemore's Donations, GTA6 Album, Madonna at the VMAs

Macklemore Donates $1 Million Tour Salary to Gaza Relief, and Prompts Robert Kraft to Match It

Macklemore has announced he will donate his entire $1 million earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour to organizations supporting the Palestinian people. The Seattle rapper was dropped from the tour’s remaining US dates after delivering on-stage "Free Palestine" speeches that prompted venue owners to object to his presence on the bill. Shifting the spotlight back to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Macklemore declared on Instagram that "Palestinian lives are worth protecting," while publicly challenging billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who led the venue boycott against him at Gillette Stadium, to match his $1 million contribution.

The bold challenge quickly forced a high-stakes response from Kraft, who announced that Ed Sheeran personally reached out to coordinate a $2 million matching donation aimed at fighting the region's humanitarian crisis. While Kraft did not specify which charities would receive the funds, he emphasized his commitment to "building bridges" alongside Sheeran, who plans to rally other stadium owners to join the cause.

Rockstar Games Announce 'Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album'

Rockstar Games and Atlantic Records have announced the release of Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, a 34-track project set to drop on November 19, coinciding with the game’s worldwide launch. The album aims to capture the vibrant energy of Vice City and Leonida, continuing the franchise's tradition of influencing global music culture with an impressive soundtrack and updated in-game radio stations.

To build excitement for the album, six tracks are already available for streaming, featuring collaborations such as Yung Lean with Future and Metro Boomin, Travis Scott with CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso on a Daft Punk-produced track, and a super-group including PinkPantheress and Fred again.. Rounding out the initial lineup are new works from Morgan Wallen, Rauw Alejandro, and Keith Richards, setting the stage for a thrilling musical experience alongside the anticipated game release.

ICYMI:

• PopBase has donated $10,000 to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, which will help aid families amid the ongoing genocide.

• Rosalia is set to feature on Fontaines D.C.’s upcoming album, Dopamine Chamber, on the track ‘Where is Gone?’

Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski Announce Separation After Nine Years of Marriage

Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski have officially called it quits after nine years of marriage. In an exclusive joint statement released to PEOPLE, the actors confirmed they have been separated "for a while" and emphasized that the decision was ultimately the right choice for their family. Maintaining an amicable front, the pair shared that "we’ve got each other forever—and it’s GOOD," reassuring fans that their relationship remains grounded in mutual support despite their romantic split.

The duo's love story originally began on the stage when they met while co-starring in the 2015 off-Broadway play The Way We Get By. Sparks truly flew when they re-teamed later that year on the set of the feature film The Last Word, playing on-screen love interests before taking their romance public in March 2016. After nearly a decade together as one of indie Hollywood's most beloved couples, Seyfried, 40, and Sadoski, 50, are turning the page on their chapter as a married couple while prioritizing their shared family unit moving forward.

POP FACT: On this day in 1964, ABC premiered The Addams Family, introducing audiences to Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, and Uncle Fester.

Madonna to Open 2026 VMAs as Most-Nominated Artist

Madonna, the Queen of Pop, is set to take the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time since 2003, reviving the essence of the legendary NYC club Danceteria in support of her '80s nightlife-inspired album, Confessions II. As the most-nominated artist of the evening, with nods including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year, this marks the third time in her illustrious career that she leads VMA nominations, previously achieving this feat with nine nominations for "Ray of Light" in 1998 and "Vogue" in 1990. Her highly anticipated return to the opening act promises to deliver high drama, continuing a legacy that includes her iconic performance in a "BOY TOY" belt for "Like a Virgin" during the inaugural 1984 ceremony, her elaborate 18th-century French court portrayal of "Vogue" in 1990, and the unforgettable kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in 2003.

ICYMI:

• Irish radio station Classic Hits Radio has removed Ed Sheeran’s music from its playlist “for the foreseeable future” following Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour.

• The Obama family’s dog, Sunny, has passed away at 13.

• Leigh-Anne Pinnock has joined Channel 4.0's The Chosen One as a mentor on the hunt for the next big vocal superstar alongside digital creators Nella Rose, Harry Pinero, and Darkest Man. Out of hundreds of applicants, only six amateur creatives will survive the high-stakes celebrity auditions to be crowned the ultimate standout in their field.

• Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words to its online dictionary, including “crashout,” “rickroll,” and “cuffing season.”

• Wendy’s is bringing back its iconic yellow packaging following customer demand.

— Katie Macbeth

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