This prank was a stroke of subversive genius. Danger Mouse, known for his experimental hip-hop and mashups, created a CD-R titled Paris Hilton that contained his own original music, completely different from the pop sound expected from Paris Hilton. He then, with the help of some accomplices, replaced the actual Paris Hilton album in several record stores with his own creation. The resulting confusion and hilarity stemmed from music critics reviewing his avant-garde work as if it were Hilton's, leading to some incredibly entertaining and wildly inaccurate reviews. This prank was a stroke of subversive genius. Danger Mouse, known for his experimental hip-hop and mashups, created a CD-R titled Paris Hilton that contained his own original music, completely different from the pop sound expected from Paris Hilton. He then, with the help of some accomplices, replaced the actual Paris Hilton album in several record stores with his own creation. The resulting confusion and hilarity stemmed from music critics reviewing his avant-garde work as if it were Hilton's, leading to some incredibly entertaining and wildly inaccurate reviews.
This prank was a stroke of subversive genius. Danger Mouse, known for his experimental hip-hop and mashups, created a CD-R titled Paris Hilton that contained his own original music, completely different from the pop sound expected from Paris Hilton. He then, with the help of some accomplices, replaced the actual Paris Hilton album in several record stores with his own creation. The resulting confusion and hilarity stemmed from music critics reviewing his avant-garde work as if it were Hilton's, leading to some incredibly entertaining and wildly inaccurate reviews. | Getty Images

April Fools Day 2025: 13 of the greatest musical pranks played, including Paris Hilton X Danger Mouse’s album

Benjamin Jackson
By Benjamin Jackson

Culture and tickets writer

Published 1st Apr 2025, 14:38 BST

From Abbey Road removing the famous crossing to a Coldplay fragrance - here’s our favourite musical pranks to celebrate April 1st

It's past 12 PM GMT, so most news should be outside the realm of April Fools' Day pranks, right?

However, with April 1st still ongoing in many time zones, musicians are known to prank both fans and, occasionally, media outlets. From a crust-punk band's fake perfume launch to an elaborate album re-recording hoax, musical pranks range from simple to hilarious, and sometimes controversial.

From a crust-punk band's fake perfume launch to an elaborate album re-recording hoax, musical pranks range from simple to hilarious, and sometimes controversial. "Did you fall for any of these pranks, or what's your favourite musical mischief from years past?

This prank that every few years does the rounds typically manifests as a social media post, often appearing to be from an official source or a news outlet. The post announces that the iconic zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios in London, made famous by The Beatles' "Abbey Road" album cover, is scheduled for removal.

5. Abbey Road removes crossing (various years)

This prank that every few years does the rounds typically manifests as a social media post, often appearing to be from an official source or a news outlet. The post announces that the iconic zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios in London, made famous by The Beatles' "Abbey Road" album cover, is scheduled for removal. | Getty Images

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Justin Bieber, often the target of TMZ's relentless paparazzi coverage, turned the tables on the gossip site. He tweeted a phone number, claiming it was his personal line and that he would be taking fan calls. The number, however, belonged to TMZ's newsroom, resulting in a deluge of calls that overwhelmed their switchboard. This prank was a clever act of revenge, and a funny way to get back at the tabloid media.

6. Justin Bieber Punks TMZ (2013)

Justin Bieber, often the target of TMZ's relentless paparazzi coverage, turned the tables on the gossip site. He tweeted a phone number, claiming it was his personal line and that he would be taking fan calls. The number, however, belonged to TMZ's newsroom, resulting in a deluge of calls that overwhelmed their switchboard. This prank was a clever act of revenge, and a funny way to get back at the tabloid media. | Getty Images

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Frankie Bridge, a well-known British singer (formerly of The Saturdays) and television personality, took to social media, specifically Instagram, to announce the launch of a new product called "Fnips." Bridge claimed that "Fnips" were stick-on nipple covers, meticulously moulded from her own nipples, designed to allow users to achieve her "braless look" and, as she jokingly put it, "get the attention and validation you need." The level of detail and effort put into the video added to the humour, as it highlighted the absurdity of the product.

7. Frankie Bridge's "Fnips" (April 1, 2025)

Frankie Bridge, a well-known British singer (formerly of The Saturdays) and television personality, took to social media, specifically Instagram, to announce the launch of a new product called "Fnips." Bridge claimed that "Fnips" were stick-on nipple covers, meticulously moulded from her own nipples, designed to allow users to achieve her "braless look" and, as she jokingly put it, "get the attention and validation you need." The level of detail and effort put into the video added to the humour, as it highlighted the absurdity of the product. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

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RØDE Microphones, a company renowned for its high-quality audio equipment designed for professional recording, announced the "FoodMic Pro." This fictional product was presented as a specialized microphone designed to capture the nuanced sounds of food. They focused on the "delicate crunch" of a crisp, the "satisfying sizzle" of a steak, and the "creamy swirl" of a milkshake.

8. RØDE FoodMic Pro (2020s)

RØDE Microphones, a company renowned for its high-quality audio equipment designed for professional recording, announced the "FoodMic Pro." This fictional product was presented as a specialized microphone designed to capture the nuanced sounds of food. They focused on the "delicate crunch" of a crisp, the "satisfying sizzle" of a steak, and the "creamy swirl" of a milkshake. | RØDE

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