We're getting out of here but scroll down for news from Cardi B, Kanye Y, Elton J, Mikey S and The Liber-Ts

Plus, enjoy a workout with Britney Spears, see the Queen singer's views on sexuality in modern showbiz and much much more besides.

It's all just a scroll away.

We'll leave you with a fresh BBC Music Introducing session from The Blinders, which reminds us that we haven't seen Pulp Fiction in ages.

See you tomorrow for New Music Friday.

If you only got into music in the past 12 months or so then, first of all welcome.

Secondly you would be forgiven for thinking that Kanye West was just a manic street tweeter.

All that will change soon though with the release of his new record and a glut of other West-produced projects.

Until then let's remind ourselves of his spitting skills, from an episode of Later... with Jools from September 2013.

Bound 2 is the closing track from his then new album Yeezus and features 'Uncle Charlie' Wilson on vocals.

The upcoming Colombian-American R&B star is on the line up for this summer's Lovebox Festival in London and it looks likes she's been getting ready for Gunnersbury Park by writhing through some foliage in the middle of a rainstorm.

Which is as good preparation for the British summer as anything else.

Check out Get Up above and prepare to get down.

Olly Alexander has been opening up to BBC Music reporter Mark Savage about the complications of growing up gay while living next to a Church in Blackpool.

The band, who release their second studio album Palo Santo on 6 July, and play BBC Music's Biggest Weekend in Swansea on 26 May, subverted traditional church values by charactersing being gay as a sacred act in their recent single Sanctify (above).

Now their frontman believes that it's becoming easier for young musicians to be open about their sexuality from the get-go.

"In the past, we've all been familiar with pop stars coming out in the middle of their careers, or after they've become huge and that feels like a heavy narrative to queer people," he said.

"Of course, there are people who still really struggle with being out, and I know some artists think it might damage their career - but I don't think the tabloids making a splash about sexuality would still happen.

"I think - I think- we can call that progress."

Read more.

Image source, Wonderland

One man who seems to echo those sentiments is Adam Lambert.

The singer has been speaking about stepping into Freddie Mercury's shoes in Queen (tough gig), his upcoming solo work and his sexuality too.

Adam, in Wonderland, external, agrees that attitudes in the music industry towards LGBTQ artists are changing for the better.

"I think there definitely was more of an element in the business [back in 2009] but I didn’t find that the people I was dealing with were actually homophobic but I definitely think they were a little bit worried about ‘how are we going to sell this artist to the masses?

He added: "We’re moving to the other side of it, where it’s the way it always should have been.”

Read more., external

Perhaps he just needs a good night's sleep judging by his twisted new music video for Mr Tillman.

It's a big old hallucinogenic slice of weird and sees him repeatedly checking in (and checking out - in a mortal sense) of the same hotel.

A bit like a David Lynch film with FJM in the central role.

Yesterday we brought you Shawn keeping calm on his back as an entire calendar year passed him by in the new video for In My Blood.

Today, the Canadian - who last weekend performed for Her Majesty the Queen, as well as the #SLFN crowd (above) - has released details of his self-titled new third album

Shawn Mendes; the album - not the man, will be out on 25 May and features collabs with Julia Michaels and Khalid.

Shawn announced the album with a nine-hour livestream as a team of artists and florists created an art installation in real time to reveal the album cover.

On the off chance that you don't have nine hours to spare, here it is sped up.

Surprise surprise... this one has not played out very well with some of his fellow music stars.

While Kanye received the presidential approval for digging out his best MAGA cap (scroll down), Macy Gray has responded by wearing a similar one (above).

Spot the difference?

Snoop Doggy Dogg wrote on his Instagram; "That's mighty white of you Kanye...If you don't snap out of it Get Me Out Part 2", with reference to the horror film.

Image source, Getty Images

Meanwhile Moby pleaded with the rap star, external to re-think his stance, accusing the president of being a "racist sociopath".

Public Enemy's Chuck D and John Legend seem similarly concerned that Kanye might be losing touch.

Elsewhere rapper Azealia Banks - who is a vocal supporter of Trump herself - couldn't resist a dig at Kim, replying to her below statement, with the following;

"Nothing at all profound, necessary or eloquent about anything your husband says.

"Kanye will never be the president and you will never ever be the First Lady. Give it up sis."

Earlier this week, Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill was released for jail where he'd been sentenced for anywehere from two to four years for probation violation, stemming from a 2008 conviction on drug and firearm charges.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said there are credibility issues with a police officer who was a "critical witness" in Meek's initial arrest.

But the Philadelphia District Attorney has requested a new trial for the rapper.

Mill's lawyer said the rapper was "unjustly convicted" and would be pushing in the court for his permanent freedom.

In his first interview since leaving prison, Meek - whose real name is Robert Williams - told NBC news he has not slept since his release.

"It's been a culture shock coming out of a small cell into the world," he said.

Watch above.

It's all about working the core guys.

Britney has shared her workout routine to keep that middle-aged paunch at bay, soundtracked by J Balvin's Machika.

Just watching this makes us tired.

Lunchtime anyone?

Image source, Getty Images

Pete, Carl and the boys have announced today that they'll be headlining and curating the third and final day of the Wheels & Fins Festival in Kent on 9 September.

The seaside fest will take place in Joss Bay, Broadstairs (Fun fact: The town was once home to Charles Dickens).

It's just down the road from The Albion Rooms - aka the band's own new hotel / studio complex in Margate.

So while the Arctic Monkeys have been busy making a metaphorical hotel for you all to visit The Libs have quite literally done so.

The band have posted a YouTube video of them on a late night reccy to the bay, which will play host to a "fantabulous cornucopia of musical delights".

And while we do like to be beside the seaside, there is some fruity language so we'll let you find that for yourselves.

Image source, Getty Images

America's most in demand rapper (sorry Kanye - the game's changed) has cancelled a handful of remaining summer gig dates due to her pregnancy.

Cardi thanked fans for their understanding and confirmed that the ludicrously-named Broccoli City Festival, in Washington DC, this weekend would be her last performance for a while.

She promises to be back in full twerking action by the autumn for her US tour with Bruno Mars.

"Shorty keep growing," she said in message posted online from the back of a moving chauffeur driven car.

"I've been looking like I've been moving and everything" she added, probably referring to her pregnant twerk at Coachella.

"But in reality, I can barely breathe... I ate six chicken wings and I can barely breathe."

Mothers everywhere will know about those damn cravings.

Head over to her Instagram to hear Cardi in full in her own typically-colourful language.

BBC Radio 2

The Stockport band - who are back tomorrow with their second album - have been celebrating forty years of the musical Grease with a cover of Hopelessly Devoted To You.

This little number goes out to Auntie Jo, apparently.

They've also been telling Radio 2's Jo Whiley about the high point of their live gigging career so far.

Listen above.

Prior to this tear-jerking performance, the five-piece told BBC Music reporter Mark Savage all about the essence of cool and how Noel Gallagher and Alex Turner have got it.

Whatever IT is - they've got it.

Read more.

Deadline Hollywood

Image source, Getty Images

The singer has apparently signed a deal with Sony Pictures to make a movie based on her life story.

Halsey currently touring Australia, will also star in the project, her first ever acting role.

Well, it worked out pretty well for Eminem, external didn't it?

Halsey - aka Ashley Nicolette Frangipane - was born and raised in New Jersey.

Read more, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Forty years after she sang her hit Wuthering Heights, inspired by Emily Bronte's novel, singer Kate Bush is contributing to a monument to the Bronte sisters on the Yorkshire moors.

In a rare public work, she has written an inscription for a stone that will be placed near the Brontes' home.

Bush said being asked to pen a passage about Emily was "an honour and, in a way, a chance to say thank you to her".

In a statement, Bush said: "I am delighted to be involved in this project. Each sister being remembered by a stone in the enigmatic landscape where they lived and worked is a striking idea.

She's one of four artists who have written messages about the sisters in rock, including poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay and Jeanette Winterson.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

As Kanye's tweets continues unabated (and apparently unedited), he's faced fresh criticism for his continued support of US President Donald Trump (scroll down).

He's been criticised by other high profile artists like Ice T, who called him "outta control".

Image source, Ice T/Twitter

R&B star Janelle Monae echoed his sentiments when she appeared on US radio station Hot 97, telling host (and Kanye confidant) Ebro Darden: “I believe in free thinking, but I don’t believe in free thinking if it’s rooted in or at the expense of the oppressed.

"If your free thinking is used as fuel by oppressors to continue to oppress black people, minorities, I think it’s **** and not okay."

Kanye has found himself a friend in fellow Chicagoan rapper Chance though, who has insisted Kanye is not affected by people questioning his mental health, adding: "Black people don't have to be democrats".

BBC Radio 1

Nobody panic, The Streets are back.

After a seven year hiatus, the electro-hip hop act have been up and down the country this week on their "waviest" greatest hits tour; The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light.

Before the first of three concluding nights at London's Brixton Academy, Mike Skinner and his gang played an intimate show for Radio 1's Annie Mac at the BBC's Maida Vale.

Bangers - not anthems, remember?

Listen above as they kick-off with an all-killer, no-filler medley of new tunes or listen back to the gig in full.

Read more.

Image source, PA

Well, he may not like modern music much but everybody still loves a ripping yarn before bed.

Sir Elt isn’t going to let the sun go down without first putting a smile on the faces of the nation’s children when he becomes the latest star to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story.

CBeebies today announced the rocket man will read The Dog Detectives: Lost in London by Fin and Zoa and illustrated by Monika Suska on Thursday 3 May.

You know... the one about the The Dog Detectives who are cycling through the busy streets of London when they are called up to solve a new case.

We won't spoil the ending for you but it involves the mysterious disappearance of six black ravens.

Sir Elton said: “Family is always really important to me, no less so this year, where they have been supporting me on my Farewell Tour launch and working on the movie Sherlock Gnomes.

That's a masterclass in how to plug your many other projects right there folks.

Previous bedtime readers have included Dolly Parton, Josh Homme and Guy Garvey (the three of them would make a pretty good house band).

CBeebies Bedtime Stories is on daily at 6:50pm.

Image source, Getty Images

First up today, hip hop star and newly-galvanised tweeter Kanye West has officially re-affirmed his love for the US President.

You'd be hard pushed to find a famous pop/rock/hip hop star that agrees with him (aside from maybe Shania Twain) but Kanye never did swim with the tide.

The rapper tweeted (below); "You don't have to agree with Trump but the mob can't make me not love him.

"We are both dragon energy. He is my brother.

"I love everyone, I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals.And we have the right to individual thought."

Donald J was delighted to earn some hip hop cool points and thanked the star.

The 45th US President was further pleased to see Kanye sporting his trademark 'Make America Great Again' cap.

Kanye evidently got a call from wife Kim Kardashian-West in the middle of the tweet fest and was told by the boss to reign it in a bit.

See above.

While he was on his political high horse, however, the Chicago native dug out the Donald's predecessor Barack Obama for apparently not doing enough to help his home city.

He also said former manager Scooter Braun would have a place in the new manager-less era of Yeezy.

Don't forget you can work for him, external if you prove your credentials.

Thankfully, his new age gonzo tweeting did finally return to the topic of music where he proposed a tour - between two feuding rappers - that we surely we can all get on board with...

He's going to need a new phone keypad at this rate.

We'll have some divided reaction to his tweets coming up shortly.

Morning all and Happy Alien Day!

Down here on planet Music News the atmosphere is just right for a LIVE page.

Today we'll bring you news of the leader of our free world thanking a rapper from another solar system, Kanye West, for his support.

Sir Elton John is reading to some very little humans, Cardi B cancels some tour dates due to a tiny earthling of her own and Kate Bush beams herself up to even greater heights by contributing to a monument to the Bronte sisters.

While we charge up our brains, plug yourself into DJ Jon Hopkins' latest Hottest Record above and then we'll what else is out there.

There must be something out there...