ICYMI: The week in music news for May 24-30, 2020

By JM Stephens 9:45am PDT, May 29, 2020

Harry Connick Jr. to host CBS all-star Grammy salute to unsung heroes

It was announced on May 28 that everyone's crush Harry Connick Jr. will be hosting CBS and the Recording Academy's two-hour special honoring essential workers. "United We Sing: A Grammy Salute To The Unsung Heroes" is set to air on Sunday, June 21, at 8 p.m. The show will feature Connick Jr. and his daughter as they take a road trip across the country to celebrate essential workers who are putting their lives on the line for all of us. Stars like Sandra Bullock, Drew Brees, Queen Latifah, Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey and Renee Zellweger will be involved to share messages of support. Musicians like Dave Matthews, Herbie Hancock, Jamie Foxx and Little Big Town will also prove musical entertainment. The special will seek donations for charities that support underserved children, such as No Kid Hungry and the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans, as well as for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, a charitable organization of the Recording Academy.

Grimes and Elon Musk change newborn son's name

After shocking the world with their controversial baby name, music star Grimes and SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have made a change to their son's moniker. After learning that the child's original name — X Æ A-12 — did not comply with California law, which allows letters and not numbers in people's names, the couple have changed it to X Æ A-Xii. Grimes, who gave birth on May 4, confirmed the news on social media on May 24, ading that she liked the "Roman numerals. Looks better tbh."

Justin and Hailey Bieber threaten to sue TikTok plastic surgeon

You mess with Hailey Bieber and you'd better believe Justin Bieber will come for you! After Dr. Daniel Barrett made a TikTok video speculating that Hailey has had plastic surgery over the years, the couple has threatened to take legal action. On May 27, Biebers sent a cease-and-desist letter to the plastic surgeon accusing him of using the model's "name, image and likeness" to "commercially advertise your plastic surgery practice and to spread false, uncorroborated claims that Mrs. Bieber has undergone plastic surgery." The Biebers are also going after the doctor for copyright infringement after he used lyrics from Justin's 2015 hit "Sorry" to caption his post, "Is it too late now to say sorry." The doctor responded, saying, "The purpose of my TikTok account is to increase the transparency of plastic surgery and to educate people about plastic surgery. The purpose of the video was not to disparage Hailey Bieber in any way; the purpose of my video was to share my opinion about the procedures that I believed she may have had done based on photos alone. This is at the request of many of my viewers who follow me for this type of information and for my opinion."

Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, Mary J. Blige attend Andre Harrell funeral

On May 23, music executive and industry legend Andre Harrell was laid to rest in Paramus, New Jersey. Andre, who launched Uptown Records and helped usher in a new era of hip-hop flavored soul and R&B, died on May 7 from heart disease. Stars including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, Lyor Cohen and LA Reid were in attendance to pay their respects. Andre is known for launching the careers of Diddy, Mary, Teddy Riley, Heavy D, Jodeci and many more.

Billie Eilish talks body shaming, people's opinions about her looks in new short film

On May 26, Billie Eilish shared a short film called "NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY" that made it clear she will not tolerate body shaming. The 18-year-old superstar said, "Would you like me to be smaller? Weaker? Softer? Taller? Would you like me to be quiet? Do my shoulders provoke you? Does my chest? Am I my stomach, my hips, the body I was born with? Is it not what you wanted… if I wear what is comfortable… I am not a woman. If I shed the layers, I'm a s—… thought you've never seen my body, you still touch it and judge me for it. Why?" Billie, who's previously said she wears oversized clothing so that people won't comment on her body, has been outspoken about the negativity she receives online from people judging her looks and the choices she makes about what she does and doesn't reveal.

Doja Cat responds to accusations of racism

Up-and-coming rapper Doja Cat found out that the internet never forgets. On May 23, the biracial singer took to Instagram to address accusations of racism after fans uncovered a 2015 song she released that contained a racial slur and accused her of participating in racist chatrooms. The singer (real name: Amalaratna "Amala" Zandile Dlamini) fired back on social media, "I've used public chat rooms to socialize since I was a child. I shouldn't have been on some of those chat room sites, but I personally have never been involved in any racist conversations. I'm sorry to everyone that I offended. I am a black woman. Half of my family is black from South Africa and I'm very proud of where I come from." But many felt that her apology was not enough and didn't actually address the issues.

Queen's Brian May reveals he had heart attack, stent surgery

Queen's Brian May has been having a rather rough go of it during quarantine. On May 25, the 72-year-old rocker took to social media to discuss his recent "medical adventures." He revealed that he was "very near death" after suffering a heart attack earlier in the month and now has had three stents implanted — and that he believes they saved his life. This caps off a difficult few weeks for the singer who tore his gluteus maximus while gardening then learned he had a nerve issue in his back early in the month. "I thought I was a really healthy guy and I keep fit, good diet. In the middle of the whole saga of the painful backside, I had a small heart attack. I say small — it's not something that did me any harm," he explained. "It was about 40 minutes of pain in the chest and tightness. It's that feeling in the arms and sweating." He soon learned that he had "three arteries which were congested and in danger of blocking the supply of blood to my heart."

Lady Gaga hand delivers new album "Chromatica"

Lady Gaga's new album, "Chromatica," was released on May 29, and the pop star is making sure the album gets to her fans! On May 27, Gaga took a FedEx truck around Los Angeles to deliver physical copies of her sixth studio album. "Delivering #Chromatica myself to every retailer around the world… in Chromatica time and distance do not exist," the pop star tweeted along with photos of herself driving the truck while wearing a mask. Gaga's riding high thanks to positive reception to new single "Rain on Me" featuring Ariana Grande.

Alan Jackson is the latest country star to perform outdoor drive-in concerts

Country superstar Alan Jackson is giving fans what they want amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. It was announced on May 27 that the musician would be playing two drive-in shows in Alabama in June. As rules regarding social distancing are still in place, many artists are getting creative when it comes to performing. Alan joins other stars like Keith Urban, who has been doing drive-in concerts in Nashville to raise money for healthcare workers.