When Kiki Wong joined the Smashing Pumpkins in 2024 as a replacement for Jeff Schroeder, it was a dream come true. Like the Pumpkins’ leader, Billy Corgan, Wong is a meathead at heart. But, like many of us, she also grew up loving ‘90s alternative rock… like the Pumpkins. This is to say that Wong, with her high skill level, endearing personality, and cooler-than-cool vibe, was a perfect fit for the machine that is the Smashing Pumpkins. And so it was to be, but as wild as it sounds, Wong has social media to thank. She admits that she never
Twenty One Pilots have officially added their track ‘Drag Path’ to streaming services and attached a cute but vital video to it.
The song was originally released as part of ‘Breach: Digital Remains’, an expanded version of their 2025 album ‘Breach’ that was available to purchase for one week only. Though thanks to the song’s virality, especially on TikTok after being used on over 75,000 videos, and with there being no official version of the song available, the band have decided to let it run free. But with a slight change.
The version of the song that can now be listened to is a different edit than what was on ‘Breach: Digital Remains’, meaning that those who purchased it last year still have their own special version of it. Though that doesn’t stop what we hear now from being any less affectingly beautiful. A delicate, building, devastating look at the lasting effects of grief, it’s a song that sits heavy on the heart, but one that reminds you that everybody has their own scars to bear and stories to tell.
And the video that accompanies it is unlike anything the band have put their name to previously. Directed by Tobias Gundorff, it is a beautiful stop-motion epic, one that, despite the clay being used to bring the cutesy creatures to life, is an incredibly human watch. Inspired by a video of his that Tyler Joseph had an affinity for over a decade ago, it is an expansive on an idea as well as a full-circle moment. It’s heartbreaking, curious and strangely beautiful, very much like life itself.
Death inspires me like a dog inspires a rabbit.
Check it all out below.
The band are due to bring their fantastical world to the big screen later this month. ‘Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Imagined’ will hit cinemas from February 26, and IMAX from February 25, for a limited time. Tickets will be available to secure from January 15 from right here.
You can check out our interview with the director, Mark Esleman, below:
Twenty One Pilots are also set to make their return to the UK for an exclusive show at All Points East on August 30. On top of their headline performance, they will also be joined by the likes of Wunderhorse, REN, BBNO$, PVRIS, Nova Twins, Dead Pony, Kid Kapachi, and LEAP. Tickets are available right now from right here.
Adoption for celebrities has a double effect. Sure, it is a personal decision, but at the same time, it is also a public example that can shape cultural awareness.
Musicians and other public figures have powerful platforms that influence how families are viewed.
When well-known artists speak openly about:
Adoption
Foster care
Caregiving
Family building takes many forms. Some artists pursue formal legal adoption through agencies or international programs.
Others open their homes to children in need through foster care or long-term caregiving.
There are many stories about celebrities who’ve decided to adopt children in the US.
Today, we will focus only on the best-known ones. Details include who they adopted, how it happened, and how adoption shaped their households.
1. Lionel Richie
Adoption became a defining moment in Lionel Richie’s personal life, reshaping his understanding of fatherhood and long-term responsibility
Lionel Richie is a legendary singer-songwriter and producer known for songs such as Hello and All Night Long.
His career spans decades, with major influence in pop and R&B music, shaping radio, touring, and songwriting standards across generations.
Family life became part of his public story when he and his first wife, Brenda Harvey, welcomed Nicole Camille Richie, born Nicole Escovedo, into their home at a very young age.
Nicole’s biological parents were friends of Lionel and were facing financial hardship at the time.
Richie decided to provide stability, structure, and long-term care.
Legal adoption was finalized when Nicole was nine years old, making her officially part of the Richie family.
Nicole Richie later became a television personality and fashion designer, building her own public identity. Household later expanded with two biological children:
Miles Brockman Richie
Sofia Alexandra Richie
Richie has spoken openly about fatherhood and personal growth. He once said that Nicole taught him how to fall in love, describing her arrival as a defining shift in his emotional life and priorities.
2. Madonna
Madonna is a global pop icon often referred to as the Queen of Pop.
Her career includes decades of chart-topping music, reinvention, and cultural influence across music, film, and fashion.
Motherhood became an important part of her life as her family grew through both birth and adoption.
She adopted four children from Malawi over time. Adoption timeline includes:
David Banda, adopted in 2006
Mercy James, adopted in 2009
Twins Estere and Stella, adopted in 2017
Madonna also has two biological children:
Lourdes Leon
Rocco Ritchie
Connection to Malawi developed into long-term philanthropic work.
She founded Raising Malawi, an organization focused on supporting children and strengthening local communities.
Efforts have included funding educational initiatives and improving access to essential services.
Madonna has spoken about both the rewards and the challenges involved in international adoption, especially raising children across cultures and continents while maintaining a demanding global career.
3. Sheryl Crow
Choosing adoption as a single parent, Sheryl Crow redefined family life by prioritizing stability, privacy, and intentional parenting
Sheryl Crow is a Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter known for hits like All I Wanna Do and If It Makes You Happy.
Her music career brought widespread recognition and commercial success across multiple decades.
Motherhood entered her life through adoption as a single parent. She made a clear and intentional decision to build her family in that way.
While some single parents pursue assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF with egg donation, Crow chose adoption as her path to motherhood.
Her adoptions include:
Wyatt Steven Crow, adopted in 2007
Levi James Crow, adopted in 2010
Process required commitment and patience.
Crow has spoken about home studies, background checks, interviews, and long waiting periods that are part of domestic adoption.
Life shifted significantly after her sons arrived. She relocated:
Moved her primary residence from Los Angeles to Nashville
Chose a quieter setting to raise her children with greater privacy
Crow has described adoption as a life-changing experience that reshaped her priorities. Career remained important, yet motherhood became central to her daily focus and long-term plans.
Sia is an Australian pop singer and songwriter known for major hits such as Chandelier and Cheap Thrills. Distinctive vocals and creative performances brought her global recognition.
In 2019, she adopted two boys who were both 18 years old at the time. Choice to adopt older teens aging out of foster care drew attention because many families focus on infants or young children.
Sia has spoken publicly about structure and consistency in parenting.
She stresses the importance of clear expectations, emotional availability, and long-term commitment rather than temporary help.
Her parenting philosophy centers on stability and accountability while giving her children room to grow.
5. Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is a contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter and five-time Grammy winner.
Themes of faith and family frequently appear in his songwriting.
Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, adopted three daughters from China. Their daughters are:
Shaohannah Hope Yan
Stevey Joy Ru
Maria Sue Chunxi
Tragedy struck in 2008 when Maria Sue Chunxi died in an accident. The family chose to speak openly about grief, faith, and healing while continuing their advocacy work.
Chapman and Mary Beth also have three biological children, creating a large household shaped by both birth and adoption. Adoption became central to their identity as parents and public figures.
Advocacy efforts expanded through creative and nonprofit work.
His public platform has encouraged many families to consider adoption and to invest in orphan care efforts.
6. Thomas Rhett
International adoption broadened Thomas Rhett’s view of family, reinforcing values of service, patience, and global awareness
Thomas Rhett is a popular country music artist known for numerous chart-topping songs and energetic performances.
Family life became widely discussed after he and his wife, Lauren Akins, adopted Willa Gray from Uganda in 2017. Lauren first met Willa during a trip to Uganda and felt an immediate connection.
The couple decided to move forward with adoption after believing she was meant to be part of their family.
International adoption required multiple steps, including:
Legal approvals in Uganda
Coordination with United States authorities
Travel and court appearances before finalization
Family later grew to include four daughters. Children in their household are:
Willa Gray, adopted
Ada James
Lennon Love
Lillie Carolina
Adoption influenced their charitable involvement and public advocacy.
Rhett and Akins often discuss how parenthood shifted their priorities toward service, generosity, and global child welfare awareness.
7. Tina Turner
Long-term caregiving within marriage showed that parental bonds can form through responsibility and presence, not only legal adoption
Tina Turner was an iconic singer and performer widely known as the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.
Powerful vocals and commanding stage presence defined generations of music fans.
During her marriage to Ike Turner, she helped raise two of his sons, Michael Turner and Ike Turner Jr. Although no formal agency process defined the arrangement, she accepted the role of mother within their household.
Her connection to Michael and Ike Jr. extended over many years. Even after separating from Ike Turner, the sense of responsibility toward family remained significant in her life.
Her experience demonstrates that adoption can also take shape through marriage and sustained caregiving rather than paperwork alone.
Rita Marley is a Jamaican singer and a member of the I Threes.
She is also the widow of Bob Marley and an influential cultural figure in her own right.
Commitment to children expanded dramatically through her work in Ethiopia.
She adopted 35 children and helped care for hundreds more through schools and community programs across Africa.
Not every relationship involved formal legal adoption, yet her role as a parental figure has been widely recognized.
Her long-term dedication created an extended family network built on care, mentorship, and sustained support for children who needed stability and opportunity.
The Bottom Line
Musicians listed above demonstrate that adoption can take many forms. Some pursued formal legal processes through domestic or international programs.
Others stepped into caregiving roles that shaped children’s lives for years.
Public visibility allows these artists to normalize adoption and encourage support for foster care and orphan care initiatives.
Family is defined by love, responsibility, and commitment rather than biology alone.
Occupying a musical space somewhere between 80’s Hardcore and 00’s indie rock, Manchester DIY punks, Bruise Control, have been spitting bile at the state of the world as they see it for some time now, attracting the attention of bands such as Amyl and the Sniffers, Press Club and Civic, as well as finding themselves on festival stage at 2000 Trees, Beard Theory and Rebellion and, of course, the TNS Records annual spring celebration: Manchester Punk Festival.
The band’s new record is another self-titled release, following on from the four-track EP of 2019, 2026’s edition is six-tunes in which Bruise Control tackle ideas of apathy, anger and the daily struggle to survive in an unforgiving world seemingly devoid of any hope.
Clocking in at around fifteen-minutes, or so, the EP wastes no time in laying out the issue at hand. Be Like You comes in with a fat bass and jangly guitars, revealing a punk attitude with its raw and aggressive stance. In fact, those vibes colour the whole of the experience, as it feels as though the Bruise Control lads rocked up to the studio, plugged in and this is what happened. Left Behind has an even more stripped back sound as it mourns the loss of communities torn apart by ‘progress’ – whatever that means – and does so in a defiant and confrontational rage, combining an indie feel with a modern punk sound.
Yet for all their ire and angst, both tunes aren’t without a danceability at their cores. It’s as if the resultant demolition of communities can only be countered by the indomitable nature of the human spirt, finding joy among the tragedy.
If You’re Not Mine is the most musically aggressive tune on display, with the combination of blistering drums and spat vocals, it offers no respite from the society collapsing around us; Gone to Ground is built on the foundations of an edgy riff and a scream-a-long chorus, as we all become King Lear, raging against elemental forces far beyond our control.
The raw and unpolished production is a perfect blend of style and substance, allowing the music to grow in momentum and immediacy, reminding all who hear of the urgency of the situation.
Spinner’s Mill is the closest to the Indie sound of Bruise Control, though it isn’t without a ferocious intention but it’s the closing, and longest, track on the EP that really stand out for me.
Jumping Ship is the lowest tempo tune on offer, but it certainly isn’t the runt of the litter; rather its simmering resentment can be heard in every note, submerged just below the surface of the tune. There are even some Oi!-like tendencies audible, and the earworm riff in the final third means Bruise Control 2026 draws to a close while leaving itself lodged firmly in the mind.
Previously a trio, this EP is the first-time vocalist, Jim Taylor has committed himself to tape in the Bruise Control cause, and the energy sparking from the quartet on these half-a-dozen tunes suggests a long and successful future for Bruise Control.
Only problem will come if suddenly everything gets better and there’s nothing to be angry about; but I can’t see that happening anytime soon, can you?
It is a crazy time in the music world. More and more sophisticated AI is flooding the market, and purely computer-generated bands are receiving airplay and column spaces. Whilst they may be slick and incredibly technically brilliant, it is all so very soulless. Fighting against that tide, there is a wealth of artists knocking it out of the park with real music made by real musicians, and when it is of the quality of Austen Starr, you know that the future is in truly safe hands.
For those who love a mix of melody and muscle, the outfit’s debut album, I Am The Enemy, is the perfect fix, full as it is with irresistible hooks as it is with dirty guitars. With singer Austen Starr having met famed six-stringer Joel Hoekstra at Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, the two became firm friends, and so impressed was the guitarist that he started working with the vocalist and with the help of a few friends, a new project was formed.
As well as Hoekstra, the band also features Chris Collier on both drums and bass, along with keys player Steve Ferlazzo and backing vocalist Chloe Lowey, each bringing their own special magic to the release.
Whilst the singer and guitarist are the main driving forces, having written all the songs, this does not feel like a marketing department’s wet dream but has all the energy of a proper band and certainly both the performances and the songs have something addictive about them.
The production too has the right balance between polish and bite, making it equally something at home on the radio or blasting out of a backroom at a dirty bar at the end of a town just off Route 66.
There is a dark edge here, the heaviness full of threatened menace. But this is counterpointed by Starr’s pure, but not too sweet, delivery and the opening salvo of the relentless Remain Unseen and the adrenaline rush of single Medusa perfectly illustrate this tension.
The title track sounds like an amped-up version of the sort of perfect pop-rock that Avril Lavigne built her career on. But Starr can do something heartrending as the emotional ballad Read Your Mind stays away from the saccharin and adds a little swing to things.
Changing direction again, Get Out Alive has a big arena feel like Alter Bridge, mixed with some mysterious Eastern spice and a dash of Blade Runner electronics. It is certainly a head-spinning blend. But it is a testament to all involved that it really works, especially as symphonic rock elements are thrown into the explosive Effigy, expanding their range even further.
Arguably, where the album scores biggest is in the ability to knock out great pop rockers, and there is a wealth of them here to be enjoyed, with Running Out Of Time and closer Until I See You Again being prime examples.
For those who may turn their noses up at anything that smacks of being commercial, then they are missing out, as I Am The Enemy has some of that same energy that Bon Jovi had at their peak. With numbers that you will find you are singing along to throughout the day and those hooks that will not leave your subconscious, this is a treat.
With I Am The Enemy, Austen Starr Looks Set For A Rapid Breakthrough
“This project has been a long time coming,” Austen Starr says, “A lifetime in the making, as cliché as that may be. It’s a really wild feeling to be putting music out into the world after being so afraid to for the duration of my existence, and the fact that the first couple of songs have been received well is completely blowing my anxious, self-deprecating mind.
“With the release of this debut album, I feel like I’m putting my life in your hands just to see what you’ll do with it. It’s terrifying, exhilarating, and freeing.”
A great debut and an excellent start to what promises to be a compelling and swift rise. Austen Starr is burning bright.
I Am The Enemy was released on 13 February 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. For more details, visit ffm.bio/iamtheenemy.
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Buffalo, New York hardcore collective Spaced will join forces with Oregon-based hardcore punk group Dry Socket for a string of shows across the United Kingdom. Read more…
Ingested have parted ways with vocalist Josh Davies. Davies joined the UK deathcore outfit in 2024, stepping in as the replacement for founding frontman Jason Evans.
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Lithuanian band Juodvarnis have been shaping their own dark, atmospheric world for nearly a decade and a half, and with each new release they continue to push the boundaries of what the band can be. Their latest full-length, Tėkmės (“streams/currents”), explores loss, impermanence, and the darker regions of the emotional spectrum.In the interview below, band […]
