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July 8th is a day that has seen a lot of culture-shifting events. We saw the rise of music legends like Elvis and Michael Jackson, as well as jaw-dropping piracy fines. This date has repeatedly marked turning points in music history. A number of artists achieved major music milestones on July 8th: 1980: Blondie's “Call Me” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became one of the defining songs of the decade.

Gracie Abrams released "Look at My Life" on June 25. This marks the second single from her third studio album, Daughter from H*ll, via Interscope Records. An official video came with it, directed by Mitch Ryan, which premiered on MTV Live, MTVU, and the Paramount Times Square billboards. The video shows Abrams racing through a rural town on a road trip with scenes in an empty dance studio and a convenience store parking lot before she escapes in a hot air balloon.

Sam Smith announced that his fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes, will drop on Aug. 21 through Capitol Records. The singer-songwriter shared the news on June 24 along with the release of lead single "My Guy." The 12-track project was written with a small group of collaborators. Smith co-produced the record with Simon Aldred and David Odlum, working alongside Feist, Shahzad Ismaily and Rob Moose. Part of the recording happened at Electric Lady Studios in New York.

Steve Lacy released "Is It Cool?" on June 26. It's a duet with SZA that digs into self-sabotage and messy relationships. You'll find this track on his third studio album, Oh Yeah?, which will debut on July 17 through RCA Records. The two artists swapped verses back and forth, according to Rolling Stone.

More than 46 years after it first got people dancing, Off the Wall is still proving that great music never really goes out of style. Michael Jackson's groundbreaking 1979 album has reached another impressive milestone, landing its 200th week on the Billboard 200 chart. The achievement comes as interest in Jackson's music continues to soar following the massive success of the Michael biopic, with fans both old and new revisiting his legendary catalog.

Sombr released his new single, "My Body Isn't Ready," on June 25. It came with a video starring Inde Navarrette and Josh Heuston. This track digs into some of the 20-year-old's deepest feelings, wrestling with how we see our bodies and what we think we're worth. "I like you, but my body isn't ready/ I want you, but the mirror won't let me," he sings. Gus Black directed the video. It portrays the singer walking into a party and seeing Navarrette. Then, bullies shove him back into his shell.

BTS member Jimin showed up at the Dior Spring/Summer 2027 show during Paris Fashion Week on June 23. He's the brand's first male Asian global ambassador. The K-pop star wore a blue velvet jacket with embroidery. This marked his first appearance at a fashion event after finishing the North American leg of BTS's ARIRANG world tour. Paris Fashion Week started with luxury brands showing off their Spring/Summer 2027 collections. Jimin's jacket draws from a historic velvet tailcoat made around 1775.

Augusta commissioners gave the green light this week to bring in a parking management firm. The job? Study whether paid parking can work downtown. This isn't the city's first attempt. Back in 2015, officials floated the idea but abandoned it when business owners pushed back hard, per WRDW. Four years later, a private company pitched a plan with $1.375 million in costs and projected revenue of $1.3 million. That 2019 pitch sparked worry about who'd foot the bill if revenue fell short.

A circuit court judge tossed an appeal from two groups fighting a 70-pad RV park outside Trenton on June 8. North Augusta developer Blackston Custom Homes can now chase state permits before heading back to Edgefield County for final sign-off. Judge William C. McMaster III struck down all three claims Horse Creek Nature Preserve and Savannah Riverkeeper made in their November 2025 appeal. McMaster wrote that the commission's July 2025 vote to deny meant little since it was just a suggestion.

Canada's World Cup run got an extra celebrity celebration on Sunday, and it came with a hefty payday. Drake is celebrating a World Cup win on and off the pitch after Canada defeated South Africa 1-0, cashing a seven-figure sports bet he shared with fans before kickoff. The Toronto rapper revealed on Instagram that he risked $770,000 through Stake on Canada to advance. The wager carried a potential payout of $1,001,000.