ICYMI: The month in music for April 2019

By Mariel Turner 8:22am PDT, Apr 29, 2019

Beyonce releases "Homecoming" live album along with Netflix documentary

Beyonce pleasantly shocked fans on April 17 when she released "Homecoming: The Live Album," an unannounced 40-song project featuring music from her iconic Coachella performance. The surprise album drop coincided with the release of her Netflix documentary "Homecoming," which chronicles the creative process behind the 2018 show.

Adele and husband Simon Konecki split after seven years

Adele and Simon Konecki are officially done. The exes, who have a son together, announced their split on April 20 following seven years of coupledom. "Adele and her partner have separated," the singer's reps told The Associated Press. "They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy." At the 2017 Grammys, Adele called Simon, who's the co-founder of Life Water and helps run the water aid charity Drop4Drop, her husband, confirming rumors that they'd quietly wed.

RELATED: Celebrity splits of 2019

Taylor Swift releases new single, adopts new cat

Taylor Swift released new music in April 2019! Following a mysterious 13-day countdown on social media and a headline-making performance at the TIME 100 Gala in New York City, the pop star dropped a new song –"ME!" — on April 26 as well as an accompanying video that features Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco. The video broke a YouTube record for most views in a 24-hour period by a solo and female artist (with 65.2 million). The same day, Taylor also revealed she'd adopted a new cat! The male furball — she named him Benjamin Button — joins her beloved female felines, Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey.

Family, fans remember Nipsey Hussle at Staples Center memorial

Family, friends and fans including Beyonce and JAY-Z gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 12 to remember slain rapper Nipsey Hussle. Snoop Dogg, YG and Nipsey's longtime partner, actress Lauren London, shared remarks about the music star, who was fatally shot outside his clothing store on March 31. He leaves behind a son he shared with Lauren and a daughter from a previous relationship.

Mick Jagger undergoes heart surgery, Rolling Stones tour postponed

Mick Jagger is recovering after undergoing a successful surgery to replace a heart valve on April 4. The Rolling Stones announced on April 2 that they would postpone the North American leg of their "No Filter" tour, which was set to kick off later in the month, due to Mick's health issues. After surgery, Mick took to social media to thank fans and doctors. "I'm feeling much better now and on the mend," he tweeted days before stepping out at a park.

Kanye West rumored to be starting a church

Kanye West is headed for the pulpit. The rapper is reportedly considering starting a church following the success of his weekly Sunday Service music performances, which he brought to Coachella in 2019. "He is extremely passionate about his faith and wants to share it more regularly with people," a source told People magazine on April 24. "He spends a lot of time studying and praying and wants to share his journey."

Ariana Grande brings out *NSYNC members during Coachella headlining set

Ariana Grande rocked the house alongside special guests Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, JC Chasez and Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC while performing during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 14. Her show was the final set of the weekend and followed weekend performances from the festival's two other headliners, Childish Gambino and Tame Impala. During her second-weekend set, she brought out Justin Bieber for what was his first public onstage performance in two years.

Britney Spears' conservatorship gets status hearing

Britney Spears' conservatorship is getting a status hearing next month, according to legal documents obtained by "Entertainment Tonight" on April 24. A judge scheduled the hearing for May 10. The pop star, who does not have to be present in court, has been under a conservatorship led by her father, Jamie Spears, since 2008. In late April, she returned home from a month-long stay at a mental health facility. Just before she left, the pop star addressed her mental health on social media, telling her fans on April 23, "All is well. My family has been going through a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I just needed time to deal. But don't worry, I'll be back very soon."

Prince's estate to release new 15-track album

Get ready for some new Prince music! The late singer's estate announced on April 24 that a new 15-track album will be released soon. "Originals" will feature "14 previously unreleased recordings that illuminate the vital, behind-the-scenes role Prince played in other artists' careers," according to a press release.

Dan + Shay, Keith Urban and Kacey Musgraves win big at ACM Awards

Dan + Shay were among the biggest winners of the night at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 7. They took home three prizes including duo, single and song of the year. Keith Urban was named entertainer of the year, and Kacey Musgraves took home the female artist of the year prize — ending Miranda Lambert's nine-year winning streak. Kacey was also among the night's red carpet stars while Carrie Underwood delivered a rare fashion miss.

Ozuna wins big at 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Ozuna dominated the 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards on April 25 with a record 11 wins including artist, song and album of the year. Other big winners at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas included Bad Bunny, who took home four awards, and boy band CNCO, who won three trophies. Stars including Isabela Moner, Claudia Vergara and Becky G delivered fashion hits on the red carpet while Dalex, Lady Janny and other stars served up some major misses.

R. Kelly loses civil sexual abuse case after failing to show up in court

R. Kelly lost a civil lawsuit by default on April 23 after failing to show in Illinois' Cook County Circuit Court to address sexual abuse allegations against him. A woman had filed legal documents in February accusing the disgraced R&B singer of sexually assaulting her when she was 16 in June 1998. When the singer — who's also facing multiple criminal charges for alleged sexual abuse crimes — didn't appear, Judge Moira Johnson granted the woman's attorney's request to enter a judgment against him. Afterward, the R&B star's attorneys asked for a do-over, claiming that the singer shouldn't have been served with the lawsuit while he was in jail (on charges for failing to pay child support) and because he "suffers from a learning disability that adversely affects his ability to read… in essence he cannot," TMZ reported they wrote in a filing.

Cardi B leads 2019 Billboard Music Awards nominations with 21

Cardi B is unstoppable! The rapper earned 21 Billboard Music Award nominations in 18 categories, it was announced on April 4. The rapper, who will compete against herself in three categories, just missed the record for most nominations, which was set by Drake and The Chainsmokers, who each had 22 in 2017.

Michelle Branch marries The Black Keys' Patrick Carney

Singer-songwriter Michelle Branch and The Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, who welcomed son Rhys in 2018, married at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans on April 20.

Aretha Franklin becomes first woman to win Pulitzer Prize Special Citation

Aretha Franklin died in 2018, but she made history this April 15: The Queen of Soul became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation when the Pulitzer board awarded the posthumous honor for the legend's contributions to American music and culture.

Kodak Black arrested on drug and weapons charges while crossing Canadian border

Kodak Black was held on a $20,000/$40,000 cash bond after being arrested on criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana charges at the U.S.-Canada border on April 18. The rapper, who's since been released — he was filmed leaving jail holding a wad of cash in front of his face — was crossing the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge in New York on his way to a show in Boston when he was taken into custody. He also canceled multiple concerts in the wake of his arrest.

Michael Jackson estate confident that fans will protect legacy

The co-executor of Michael Jackson's estate said he believes that MJ's fans will continue to support his legacy in light of claims made in the HBO documentary "Finding Neverland," in which two men alleged they were sexually abused by the late music star when they were boys. Entertainment attorney John Branca addressed the issue while speaking on a panel hosted by the Harvard Institute of Politics on April 16. "People love Michael. They love Michael's music for sure. And if the investigation is effective, which I think it will be, in showing that there is severe doubt about what may or may not have happened, we will be back to people feeling, 'It's OK to say I like Michael,'" he said.