Anderson .Paak is kicking off a creative collaboration in partnership with GOAL Projects, the new initiative from global soccer media brand GOAL. Under the Anderson .Paak x GOAL Projects banner, the Grammy-winning artist has co-designed a soccer kit in support of the girls’ youth soccer team from his hometown of Oxnard, Calif.

Proceeds from the kit — comprised of a limited-edition soccer jersey, T-shirt and ball — will benefit the nonprofit Brandon Anderson Foundation and the Oxnard Eagles girls’ soccer team. Founded by farmworker Victor Garcia, the Oxnard Eagles is a nine-team community club serving more than 100 youth from immigrant and working-class families. GOAL Projects is also partners with global collective Common Goal which, according to the press announcement, uses “the power of football to drive social change, ensuring continued support for the Oxnard Eagles as well as other grassroots teams.”

“Man, you have an opportunity to uplift kids in the same streets where I made my way, you give me a call,” .Paak tells Billboard. “When GOAL came to me with this idea, I was all in. It wasn’t just about a jersey; it was about connecting music and soccer — two things that bring people together everywhere. And the fact that every jersey helps out the Oxnard Eagles, these amazing young girls from my hometown? That’s the part that made it a no-brainer. It’s bigger than sport. It’s about community and giving these kids the chance to shine.”

Further discussing the burgeoning intersection between music and sports, .Paak adds, “Growing up, I thought I was gonna be in the NBA, then finally music hit. Sports and music are the same energy, man. They’re passion, rhythm and discipline — but also joy and culture. Soccer especially: It’s global, it’s in every neighborhood just like music. So when I got to co-design a kit that brings my fans into that world and also supports the next generation of athletes, that’s exactly the type of intersection I want to live at.”

Of teaming with .Paak for GOAL Project’s first collaboration, GOAL’s head of culture and lifestyle Jake Cohen said in a statement, “Anderson was the perfect partner to kick things off — he loves doing projects that give back and connect with the community. GOAL Projects is all about bringing sports, music, art and culture together. We want to break down the barriers to soccer and make sure every kid has a shot to play, and this is just the start. We’ve got more projects coming that will inspire and connect soccer fans and players everywhere.”

The Anderson .Paak x GOAL Projects collection is available now online in unisex adult sizes at  Goalprojects.goal.com. The collection’s in-person release will take place at the .Paak House Festival held Oct. 11 on the campus of California State University Channel Islands. Hosted by the Brandon Anderson Foundation, the family-friendly festival will once again feature live performances by special guests and rising artists. Past performers include Mario, Raphael Saadiq and Smokey Robinson. Tickets for the .Paak House Festival are also available now via .Paak House’s website.

“.Paak House has always been about giving my community a VIP experience, showing kids and families that they deserve the same love and spotlight as anybody else,” says .Paak. “So having the jersey release tied to and available for purchase at .Paak House makes perfect sense. You’ll see the music, the food, the art, the culture — all the stuff that shaped me — and now we’re adding the global game of soccer into the mix. It’s about creating spaces where people can come together, celebrate and feel supported. That’s the same energy behind this GOAL collab.”

It’s been a turbulent ride since Young Thug was released from jail in October 2024. Nearly 11 months later, Thugger finally returns to speak out with his music, as the highly anticipated UY Scuti album arrived on Friday (Sept. 26).

Thugger set the table for UY Scuti with the Future-assisted “Money on Money” in April. He followed up with “Miss My Dogs” earlier in September, which found him apologizing and addressing some major figures in his life, including girlfriend Mariah the Scientist, Drake, Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Future and Lil Baby.

The Atlanta native’s last album, Business Is Business, was released in June 2023 while Thug was still behind bars. The LP debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 89,000 total album units earned.

UY Scuti suffered plenty of delays before arriving, as the project was previously rumored to be released in May and June, before getting pushed to Sept. 19.

Thug pivoted to Sept. 26 out of respect for Cardi B, who dropped her Am I the Drama? album on Sept. 19. “Yall know I wasn’t dropping Friday. It’s a ladies day,” he wrote to X. And Cardi replied, “And you better step next week …you got this, You know this !!”

Thugger explained to GQ in April about why he titled the project UY Scuti. “I just feel big, you know. The name of my album UY Scuti. I feel like I’m one of the biggest stars,” he said. “I did a lot. Founding this culture. The new rap game that’s happening right now. I’m out of this world. Not like God, though.”

Young Thug spent Wednesday (Sept. 24) at the Los Angeles federal courthouse supporting his friend Metro Boomin, who was facing trial in his civil sexual assault lawsuit.

Stream UY Scuti below.

Leading up to the Latin American leg of his Cosa Nuestra World Tour, set to continue on Oct. 13 in Chile, Rauw Alejandro dropped his new studio album Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 — a prequel to his chart-topping Cosa Nuestra released last fall — on Friday (Sept. 26).

A contrast to his 2024 set that was elegant and glamorous, and inspired by New York in the ‘70s and the era of the Sicilian mafia, Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 “is all about the Caribbean, not only Puerto Rico,” he tells Billboard. “There’s so much inspiration in music from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti — I believe we’re all one nation. The Caribbean shares the same blood — we’re Indian, African and Spanish — that’s our race.”

Sonically, the 14-track set offers traditional bomba and plena (“Carita Linda,” “Caribeño”); his first-ever bachata called “Silencio,” written and produced by Romeo Santos; and closes with three brand new salsa tunes, including the sultry “Callejón de los Secretos” with Mon Laferte.

In between, he gives fans his signature perreo and R&B numbers, including “Buenos Términos,” “Nostalgia de Otoño” and “Contrabando,” and is also home to the previously released 2024 banger “Santa” with Rvssian and Ayra Starr.

Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 — which Rauw began working on in 2023 — drops in the midst of this Cosa Nuestra world tour, allowing him to create new music while “staying in the same era and character,” he notes.

“The meaning of Cosa Nuestra is so big that I have to release 20 albums to explain its concept. There’s no time to do that in just one album,” he laughs. “I’m going to continue to bring my roots to the world. Nowadays I feel so connected with my people and am very proud of where I come from. I don’t have to look outside when I have everything here.”

Stream and listen to Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo 0 below: