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Who is Mac Miller? The numbers are staggering for the young rapper from Pittsburgh: 180 million views on YouTube, 1.4 million friends on Facebook, 1 million-plus on Twitter, not to mention sold-out shows the world over filled with screaming teens. And yet, the kid with the "Donald Trump" single is only now poised to release an album ("Blue Slide Park," Nov. 8). Get to know Mac a whole lot better in the new issue of Billboard (out Friday), but in the meantime we thought you'd like to examine the trippy cover.

-- We have a chat with Latin superstar Shakira.
-- Laura Pausini returns home with a new album and world tour.
-- A look at the ever-evolving relationship between music and video games.
-- All your favorite charts in one handy place, plus reviews and tour news.

If you like your turkey with a hearty helping of country crooning, you're in luck: "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery is playing the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

The reality champ, who made chart history when his "Clear As Day" became the first country debut album to bow atop the Billboard 200 in October, will be joined by acts including Avril Lavigne, Cee Lo Green, Mary J. Blige, Cobra starship, Rodney Atkins, Neil Diamond, Shelby Lynne, Ingrid Michaelson and more. A number of Broadway cast members, including performers from "Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," will also join the festivities.

On Nov. 24, the annual New York City parade will be celebrating its 85th anniversary, with a musical history that ranges from the Rockettes and Kanye West and Jessica Simpson, who performed during last year's event.

If the aforementioned musicians sound like rain on your parade, you can have a monster of a time with Lady Gaga. The pop star will offer "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving" on ABC that evening, performing eight songs, preparing a Thanksgiving meal and sitting down for an interview with Katie Couric.