Is that the time already?

We're off home now but you can scroll down this page for news of Mel B, Mariah, Mike Skinner and Metallica (all the Ms basically).

Plus much more besides.

We'll leave you today with a sample of Rita Ora's Estelle/Charlie Puth mash-up for Live Lounge Month above.

Enjoy the rest of International Men's Day and we'll see you back here tomorrow at 09.00 GMT.

BBC 6 Music

Another one for the ravers now...

Karl Hyde from the electro dance music duo was up north this weekend for the International Arts and Homelessness Festival with Manchester Street Poem.

It's the project that Karl and bandmate Rick put on for Manchester International Festival last year and is a growing collection of stories from people who have first-hand experience of what it means to be homeless.

To coincide with their new installation Underworld, the pair have also dropped a new film and track called Low Between Zebras, featuring Matthew Trevannion (below), as part of their Drift series online.

They also have some intimate club shows coming up, so with all of this going on 6 Music's Clare Crane spoke to Karl to find out more.

He started by telling her how Manchester Street Poem is continuing to evolve.

Listen above.

BBC Radio 2

The Who frontman has been telling Radio 2's Ken Bruce about how he steered clear of drugs during the height of the band's success in the swinging '60s.

Ever the pro, he did so to protect his voice.

"All I wanted to do was be a singer," said Rog.

"When you start doing drugs, the first thing it affects is the voice."

Listen above.

Mark Savage
Music reporter, BBC News

Image source, Syco

Seven years is an eternity in pop.

By all rights, Little Mix should have descended into bitter acrimony by now - going on "hiatus", shaving their hair, releasing whiffy solo projects and propping up ITV2 comedy shows.

Instead, they're crushing it. Each of their four albums has outsold the last, with 2016's Glory Days going triple platinum in the UK alone. This summer, they staged their first stadium tour, putting them in the same league as Arctic Monkeys and Ed Sheeran.

And, unlike a lot of pop groups, they're the ones setting the agenda. Their latest album, LM5, is fiercer than its predecessors, tackling topics like gender equality, body positivity and the tabloid press (the Daily Mail comes in for a pounding) over some of the hardest beats they've assembled yet.

"We're not scared to talk about things that, before, we'd have thought, 'Is it OK to say this?'," says Perrie Edwards. "We're just letting rip."

Image source, Getty Images

As if to underline their independence, the band separated from Simon Cowell's record label days before the album came out, reportedly over disagreements about their musical direction.

They're under strict instructions not to discuss it when we meet - but if the split caused any stress, it doesn't show. Perrie is wolfing down a carton of fries; while her band-mate Leigh-Anne Pinnock is pining for a cup of tea (it arrives mid-interview, much to her relief).

So how did Little Mix end up here? We asked the band to look back at a scrapbook of their first seven years; to reflect on the highs, and lows, of pop stardom.

Read more.

BBC Radio 2

Aled Jones and Russell Watson popped into the Radio 2 studios at the end of last week to plug their new album In Harmony.

It's their first ever album together and sees two of the biggest classical music singers in the UK singing together on an array of tracks, including hymns, reworked contemporary classics like Volare and Bright Horizons, a song written especially for them by composer Sir Carl Jenkins.

"We weren't sure it was going to work, when we first started out," says Russell.

"Russell is a dramatic tenor...a very noisy bloke," interjects Aled, "and I'm a lyrical baritone - so on paper, you wouldn't put [our voices] automatically together."

"But actually, it works brilliantly."

The album was released earlier this month, and went straight into number 2 in the Classic FM album charts this week.

In addition, the pair will be touring in September and October next year.

But for all the harmony, Aled says there's no contest as to who has the bigger voice - and what he'll be wearing on the tour bus.

"He puts earplugs on in the car when I'm warming up," jokes Russell.

As well as being an accurate description of our combined GCSE results, No Geography is the name of The Chems ninth studio album, which will drop in spring 2019.

The DJ duo have also just announced a UK live arena tour for this time next year, including gigs in Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham.

You can head over to their official website for further details.

Image source, Disneyland Paris

It's every girl's dream, singing happy birthday to an oversized mouse in a yellow dicky bow.

Symphony singer Zara Larsson serenaded the world's most recognised rodent at Disneyland Paris on Sunday, to mark his 90th anniversary.

"As many kids growing up, even my parents, or probably even my Grandma, he’s been a part of my childhood, so now I can be part of his special night and that feels great," said Larsson, whose latest single, Ruin My Life, is currently in the UK top 20.

Proof that if you're a snappy dresser (with a couple of theme parks to your name) you can still win over the ladies in your 90s, regardless of those funny ears.

Image source, Getty Images

Perhaps it's time to have a rummage down the back of the couch, all you fans of classic rock 'n' roll...

Omega Auctions of Merseyside are set to offer unheard master and demo tapes by Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.

The 27 November sale will also include Elvis’s bedside Bible, Michael Jackson's annotated notebook and a collection of previously unseen Bob Marley negatives, valued between £30,000 and £50,000.

Bowie's tapes from 1971 are worth an estimated £3,000-5,000, while Jimi's 1968 demo - containing early takes of songs that would eventually find their way on to his Electric Ladyland album - are worth between £5,000-£10,000.

Image source, Getty Images

Quincy Jones was honoured at the Spotify Secret Genius Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend with the legendary genius award.

The ceremony paid tribute to the Thriller producer, with the evening's host Ne-Yo saying: “Without a Quincy Jones, there would be no Michael Jackson, and without a Michael Jackson, there would be no Ne-Yo."

Quincy shared his award "with all the great songwriters".

“If it all starts with a great song, that's the secret. The song is the secret. The singer is the messenger,” he said.

“The maker of the song ... they can make a star out of the worst singer on the planet - a good song can, a great song. And even Sinatra and Aretha and Michael Jackson could not save a bad song.”

He did however caution those with good songs that there should be "grace with success".

“Don’t have a number one record and think you're better than everybody.”

Posting on Instagram after the event, Quincy wrote: "From the bottom of my heart, I just want to say Thank-Q to everyone who played a role in putting on such a special night for me.

Image source, EPA

Muse's latest album, Simulation Theory, has gone straight to the top of the UK chart.

It's the sixth UK number one for the British band, who beat Olly Murs to the crown, meaning You Know I Know had to settle for number two.

The number one glory coincided with the sale of tickets for their 2019 UK and Europe stadium tour on Friday.

The official soundtrack to The Greatest Showman celebrates its 47th week in the charts, with Hugh still hollering those Hollywood toons at number three.

The reissue of the Beatles' White Album lands at number four, while the Spice Girls' Greatest Hits steals back into the charts at 25 - as tickets for their UK stadium reunion tour went on sale this week.

Over on the other side of the pond, country singer Kane Brown earned his first number one album in the US, with Experiment.

It's only the third country album to reach number one in the Billboard 200 this year.

Are they? Aren't they? And does anybody really care?

Jaden Smith is insisting that Tyler, The Creator is his boyfriend - but his bestie rapper buddy is staying schtum.

Twenty-year-old Smith recently went public with their relationship while playing at a music festival in California, where Tyler was in the audience.

"Tyler doesn't wanna say, but Tyler is my [insert unmentionable word here] boyfriend.

"It's true!," he insisted "Tyler is my boyfriend."

Apparently, he's been Jaden's boyfriend his "whole life," which - let's face it - seems to be a bit of an exaggeration.

Then again, when you're the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, a little hyperbole is probably in your DNA.

At the time, Tyler laughed it off, calling his friend "crazy".

But Jaden is not taking no for an answer.

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking on Beats 1 Radio on Friday about his new album, The Sunset Tapes, he once again reiterated that he and Ty were an item.

“I recently said that Tyler, The Creator is my boyfriend. And that’s true.

"So, just so you know.”

Smith has deliberately adopted an androgynous fashion style and left his sexuality open to interpretation.

Still - it's generally better for a relationship, if your other half actually acknowledges you.

Over to you, Tyler.

Earlier this month the hip hop star attended the premiere of Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, which he helped to soundtrack., externalSo he may be in no mood to talk romance....

Metallica announced, external on Friday that they had donated $100,000 (£78,000) to help with the relief effort for the California wildfires.

The hard-rocking Los Angeles band, who also performed acoustically at a special gig for their All Within My Hands foundation (above), encouraged fans to “support those in need and first responders.”

A statement from the band read: “Sadly once again communities in California are experiencing historically devastating wildfires in both the Northern and Southern parts of the state,”

“All Within My Hands has made a $50,000 donation each to the North Valley Community Foundation and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation; both agencies provide service to victims at evacuation centers and other much needed relief.

"Every little bit helps."

Last week Lady Gaga posted a video of her visiting a California disaster shelter.

The west Yorkshire band, who have one of their biggest gigs to date coming up at Heaven in London next week, have a new 'sleb' fan, it seems.

Here's documentary-maker supremo, Louis Theroux (above), posing with a copy of their debut album, Silver Dollar Moment.

The emoji (above) says it all really.

We wonder if Louis was one of the fans that got on the tour bus with them?

The Orielles have a new single, Bobbi's Second World out, while Louis has some new docos to publicise.

So you can bet your bottom dollar we will be hearing more from both of them.

Image source, Getty Images

The UK singer is the latest artist to go into that most esteemed of rooms, for Live Lounge Month.

She follows Stockport band Blossoms, who covered Post Malone.

Rita actually dressed up as the US rapper for Halloween, but who will she cover today?

Tune in from midday to find out.

Image source, PA

In one of many revelations from her warts-and-all autobiography, Brutally Honest, Mel B has revealed that the death of her father "gave her the strength" to end her abusive marriage to US film producer Stephen Belafonte.

An excerpt from the book - published in The Sun newspaper - finds the Spice Girl racing to her father, Martin's side in Leeds in March 2017 after having not seen him for three years following a row.

"I told him I was leaving Stephen and I felt his hand tighten slightly in mine," she writes.

"His eyes opened for a second, we looked at each other, and there was a moment in which I felt every ounce of pain that had ever passed between us disappear. Then he took one last, very slow breath: 'He’s gone,' I announced to the room."

Mel wrote that she returned immediately to Los Angeles after her dad finally lost his long cancer battle last year, hired a divorce lawyer, and filed a restraining order against her husband.

The divorce was finalised in December 2017.

The book, which is out next week also details how she lost a fortune, battled with drugs and survived a suicide attempt.

The 43-year-old will join fellow Spice Girls, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Horner for a Spicies reunion tour next year, kicking off in Dublin in May.

The former Girls Aloud singer performed her solo comeback track, Love Made Me Do It, live on the ITV show on Saturday night.

The energetic display got mixed reviews from fans online, with some suggesting that even X Factor judge Nile Rodgers had thrown shade at the Geordie singer by not standing up and clapping afterwards.

Fake news guys!

Nile has cleared this up online - with the use of his smart TV (see below).

"Pic on right was me before I just happened to sit down," he explained.

"I never snub anybody. It's not my nature.

"Really folks? This is what we've come to."

Got that people?

Cheryl, who was previously a judge on the show herself, has been out of the music biz for several years after giving birth to her son, Bear.

Here's what some of you lot made of the performance:

You have just days to wait all you 'Lambs' out there... or buy your earplugs, depending on your point of view.

Mariah Carey told US chat show host Jimmy Fallon that she has one rule about her all-conquering festive earworm All I Want for Christmas Is You.

The US diva told Fallon she won't sing the track before Thanksgiving - which our American cousins celebrate this coming Thursday.

According to Fallon, it's "the most downloaded song in the history of holiday music ever".

Anyone who has ever worked in a high street shop in December will know that all too well.

Hibernation never looked so attractive.

Mariah's 15th album, Caution, was released on Friday.

Q Magazine

Image source, Getty Images

Lock down your aerials everyone, you could soon be listening to new Streets music.

That's according to the UK garage band's mastermind, Mike Skinner, who has revealed he has a "really good" new track ready and is working on a mixtape.

In an interview with Q Magazine, external, Skinner revealed that he's collaborated on a new song, adding that The Streets will perform at festivals next summer, after he's put out his new nightclub-themed film, The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light.

Busy boy.

Skinner told the music mag: “I’m going to be releasing more music as and when I feel inspired in the lead-up to the film.

"And I’m planning a mixtape during 2019, as well as getting back into the swing of festivals."

“Then I’m going to make my film, release my album and after that we’re going to buy the West End off Andrew Lloyd Webber.”

The West End don't come for free Mike.

Watch this space for new music - and a host of other Mike Skinner productions.

Image source, Getty Images

The US singer, who has been taking a break from music following an overdose this summer, has defended her decision to fire her trainer, Danielle Martin.

The response comes after a fan named Angela described the move as "rotten", suggesting Lovato's team had treated Martin badly after she gave an interview, external shortly after Demi was taken in for treatment.

“It was completely unfair to fire Dani, she’s one of the few who really cares about Demi’s health and has been helping her for three years," she wrote on Instagram, external.

"She [Demi] is surrounded by people who care only about her money and she does not see it."

She added: “The Demi team is so rotten and she does not realise it, needs a total change..."

Demi, who only recently returned to social media - urging people to vote in the midterms with a voting booth pic, replied succinctly: "You have no idea what you are talking about.

"True friends don't do interviews when you OD".

Image source, EPA

Diddy has paid tribute to his former partner Kim Porter, who died last week at the age of 47.

The model and actress dated the American rapper on and off from 1994 to 2007 and they have three children together.

"I don’t know what I’m going to do without you baby. I miss you so much," wrote the music star - real name Sean Combs - in a tribute posted online.

Alongside a video of Diddy embracing a pregnant Porter, he wrote: "I’m going to try and find the words to explain our unexplainable relationship."

He added:

Despite breaking up in 2007, Porter and Diddy were still good friends.

Porter "was discovered unresponsive in her home" and pronounced dead at the scene on Thursday.

She is reported to have suffered a cardiac arrest.