State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
Page: 107
Trending on Billboard
Hundreds of bagpipers broke a world record this week when they assembled in Australia to perform AC/DC‘s “It’s a Long Way to the Top.”
The musicians gathered on Wednesday (Nov. 12) in Melbourne’s Federation Square, where thousands of fans watched as 374 bagpipers squeezed into the square and perform the rock and roll classic. The Australian Book of Records then confirmed with the Associated Press that they had indeed broken the world record for most people gathered to play the bagpipes. The oldest performer was 98-years-old. The previous record holder was 333 pipers in Bulgaria back in 2012.
The event was called “The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash,” and paid homage to a scene from the Australian hard rock band’s 1976 film where they blasted “It’s A Long Way To The Top” on a flatbed truck while traveling through traffic. The square is also right near Melbourne Cricket Ground, where AC/DC is scheduled to perform their first Australian show in over a decade later tonight.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
The band recently added dozens of dates to their Power Up Tour heading into 2026. The new dates for the nearly two-year-old tour by the legendary rockers will kick off on Feb. 24 at Estádio do MorumBIS in São Paulo, Brazil and include stops in Santiago, Chile on March 11 and Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 23 before winding down on April 7 in Mexico City at Estadio GNP Seguros.
AC/DC will then take a break before heading out again on July 11 in Charlotte, N.C. in Columbus, Ohio, Madison, Wi., San Antonio, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Edmonton, Alberta, Vancouver, Atlanta, Houston, South Bend, Ind., St. Louis, Montreal, Toronto and East Rutherford, N.J. before winding down on Sept. 29 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Check out a video report on the record-setting piping below.
Trending on Billboard
Italian icon Laura Pausini was honored with Billboard Italy’s prestigious Global Icon award on Wednesday (Nov. 12) during a historic Vatican ceremony with Pope Leo XIV. As part of Billboard Italia Women in Music 2025, the ceremony also emphasized the vital role of amplifying women’s voices in the music industry, with the Pope receiving a commemorative plaque underscoring this mission. Pausini’s remarkable career and humanitarian efforts continue to elevate Italian music on a global scale.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
The superstar also presented Pope Leo XIV with a unique, unreleased song — her rendition of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures.” The song celebrates universal brotherhood and the praise of God through creation.
Pausini has elevated Italian music to a global stage, serving as an ambassador for universal values such as inclusion, solidarity, and peace. She has consistently worked to support the most vulnerable, including children and populations affected by humanitarian crises. Her collaborations with organizations including UNICEF, Save the Children, Amnesty International and the World Food Programme — where she served as an ambassador — further highlight her commitment to humanitarian causes. Recognized as the most awarded Italian artist in the world, Pausini was honored with the “Icon” award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards in October, presented by Ozuna.
The second Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music will take place in Milan on Nov. 25, 26, and 28, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Across the three days, eight additional awards will be presented to individuals shaping the Italian music scene, including leading artists and professionals working behind the scenes.
Laura Pausini has sold over 75 million records worldwide and garnered more than 6 billion streams, solidifying her status as the most listened-to Italian female artist internationally. She is also the first and only Italian female artist to win a Grammy Award and has entered the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
Throughout her career, she has won four Latin Grammy Awards and was named Person of the Year 2023 by the Latin Recording Academy, becoming the first non-native Spanish-speaking artist to receive this honor. Her accolades also include a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award nomination, and an Oscar nomination.
She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Ray Charles, Phil Collins, Shakira, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson, among many others. Her recent collaborations include a live performance with Alanis Morissette and a duet with Robbie Williams for the first official FIFA anthem.
Her upcoming album, Io Canto 2, will be released by Warner Music in 2026, with a Spanish version titled Yo Canto 2. The album marks her return to both recording and live performances, accompanied by a new world tour in 2026 and 2027, kicking off on March 27 in Pamplona, Spain.
PlayStation/PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
During yesterday’s Japan-focused State of Play, Sony unveiled its new PlayStation gaming monitor, which you can connect to your PC or PS5.
Along with a refreshed Japanese-only PS5 Digital Edition, Sony announced a new monitor featuring a 27-inch QHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and variable refresh rate. Still, it caps at 120Hz when used with a PS5.
But that’s not the only feature it has. Sony always loves to add features to its peripherals to help them stand out, so the new monitor includes a charging hook for your DualSense controller.
Love Hip-Hop Wired? Get more! Join the Hip-Hop Wired Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
The hook conveniently folds down from the rear of the monitor, allowing you to jump into gaming mode when you get that itch quickly.
Source: PlayStation / PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
The PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor will be available in both the US and Japan markets, but as of right now, it does not have a price and will hit shelves sometime next year.
The monitor announcement further highlights PlayStation’s foray into PC gaming, following the Pulse Elevate portable speakers unveiled back in September.
The Pulse Elevate portable speakers will also work with PC, Mac, PS5, and PS Portal and will arrive in 2026.
We are intrigued to see what else Sony is cooking to further cement its footprint in PC gaming.
Trending on Billboard
Meghan Trainor isn’t playing around with haters anymore. On Wednesday (Nov. 12), the hitmaker announced her new album, Toy With Me, and shared the project’s first single — “Still Don’t Care,” which she wrote for “anyone who’s ever felt judged.”
On Instagram, Trainor revealed that her seventh studio album will arrive April 24 of next year and shared the project’s pink, Barbie doll-inspired cover. The LP will feature a total of 16 tracks, including “Still Don’t Care,” which the singer described in a statement shared with Billboard as “bold, fun, a little cheeky and full of confidence.”
“This song came from a place of growth for me,” she continued. “I’m learning to shake off negativity, choosing joy, and living life my way — because at this point in my life and career, I’m ready to be done worrying about pleasing everyone. ‘Still Don’t Care’ is my reminder to myself — and to anyone who’s ever felt judged.”
Trainor also shared Wednesday that she’ll be embarking on a 2026 tour with Icona Pop in support of Toy With Me. The trek will kick off June 12 in Clarkstown, Mich., and — following stops in New York, Chicago, Boston and more cities — end Aug. 15 with a show in Los Angeles.
“Toy With Me feels like the most honest and fearless I’ve ever been — it’s all about self-confidence, freedom and learning how to meet people where they are at,” Trainor added in her statement. “I wanted to kick off this new chapter with a song that makes people feel unstoppable, and I can’t wait to bring that same energy to everyone on The Get In Girl Tour next summer.”
Trainor’s next venture will arrive about two years after the release of her last album, Timeless, which reached No. 27 on the Billboard 200. All six of her full-lengths have charted on the U.S. albums ranking, including debut album Title, which debuted at No. 1 in 2015.
This past March, Billboard honored Trainor with the 2025 Hitmaker Award at the annual Women in Music event.
Check out Trainor’s album announcement and listen to “Still Don’t Care” below.
Source: Jimmy Fontaine / Atlantic
Kevin Gates’ mantra is he doesn’t “get tired”, but after his last Instagram live, he may wanna take a seat.
The Louisiana rapper has been dating 26-year-old Jelenny Tejada. Whio is a US Marine Vet and an influencer. The couple was first seen on iShowSpeed’s stream at the LSU game. A clip went viral of Speed asking Jelenny if she was hungry, where Kevin redirected the conversation to him and told the streamer only to ask him questions.
Since then, they’ve popped out many times together. Gates recently went on Instagram Live to share his two cents on dating. Implying that men do not want an older woman, “Don’t no n*gga want no old washed up a** b*tch man. What n*gga don’t want a young h*e man? You don’t like it, eat my d*ck, straight up.”
Before his relationship with Jelenny Tejada, Gates was involved in a controversial relationship with Brittany Renner. During their time together, Brittany made a complete 180; she stopped wearing revealing clothes, converted to Islam, and began covering her hair to start a new chapter in her life. Her transformation received mixed reactions online.
Some fans online called his fling with Renner a rebound from his marriage to Drake Gates, which ended after nine years when she sought spousal and child support from the rapper.
Trending on Billboard Megan Thee Stallion says that she is dying to take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show. In an interview with US Weekly, Meg said she would love the challenge of performing at what is traditionally the most-watched musical TV performance of the year. “I’m manifesting a Super Bowl halftime performance […]
Trending on Billboard
After losing their legal battle against ADOR, the members of NewJeans have decided to resume activities with the label.
On Wednesday (Nov. 12), ADOR announced that K-pop stars Haerin and Hyein had agreed to continue working with the HYBE subsidiary after “thoughtful consideration with their respective families and thorough discussions” about how to move forward.
“The two members have decided to respect the court’s latest ruling and adhere to their exclusive contract with the label,” the company wrote in a statement shared with Billboard. “ADOR is committed to providing its full support to HAERIN and HYEIN to ensure the seamless continuation of their artistic endeavors.”
“We request the warm support from the fans and respectfully urge you to avoid engaging in unfounded speculation regarding the members,” ADOR added.
Other outlets are reporting that the remaining members, Minji, Hanni and Danielle, have also agreed to continue working with the label. Billboard has reached out to HYBE for comment.
News of NewJeans’ return comes a year after the members first announced plans to leave ADOR and release music independently, alleging that the label had violated their contract by firing their mentor, former CEO Min Hee-jin. This past October, a Korean judge sided with ADOR’s stance that the termination of Min was not sufficient grounds to void the band’s contract, upholding that NewJeans may not pursue any independent activities until 2029.
“We sincerely hope that today’s judgment, which comes after long-term verification of various claims and facts and reaffirms prior rulings, will serve as an opportunity for the artists to calmly reflect on this matter,” ADOR said in a statement following its victory. “As we stated during the trial, we have completed preparations for the artist’s activities, including the release of a studio album, and are waiting. We will do our utmost to return to the fans through discussions with the artist.”
Since forming in 2022, NewJeans has released a number of singles and two EPs, including 2nd EP ‘Get Up’, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The group has also charted five songs on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2025, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein began releasing music and performing under the name “NJZ.” They were ordered to stop doing so after ADOR filed a preliminary injunction, and in June, they were each fined $734,000 for “unauthorized activities.”
B.o.B, a rapper who amassed hits early on in his career as part of T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint roster, is now being accused of kidnapping and sexual assault by a Texas woman. The unidentified Jane Doe says that B.o.B. invited her back to his room at an event in April after bringing the woman onstage for a portion of the show.
CBS 8 out of San Diego reports that B.o.B, real name Bobby Ray Simmons, performed at the California Beer Festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds as part of the Tequila and Taco Festival. Jane Doe, a married mother of two, states that B.o.B’s music helped her through a rough patch as she contended with cancer and grew attached to his creative works.
The lawsuit alleges that during the concert, Simmons invited the woman onstage to dance suggestively, which is apparently a part of his stage show. She then claims that the rapper’s manager invited her to an afterparty at a hotel suite. It was there that Jane Doe said the assault took place.
Love Hip-Hop Wired? Get more! Join the Hip-Hop Wired Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
“[Jane] viewed the unexpected invitation as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hang out with one of the biggest stars in Hip Hop, whose music played a major role in keeping her emotionally healthy to continue her arduous struggle against cancer,” states the lawsuit. “[She]couldn’t believe how her life had turned around since the cancer-free diagnosis. Moreover, she figured everything would be okay with her cousin by her side; after all, Mr. Simmons’ wife would be there also.”
The suit continues detailing Jane Doe and her cousin heading to the Westin Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp District in the wee hours of the morning. After heading up to a penthouse suite, Doe claims she was offered drugs but turned them down. The party went without a hitch until the cousin left Doe to obtain a jacket and left her with Simmons.
From there, Doe alleges Simmons grabbed her by the throat and forcibly kissed her while groping her. The lawsuit then depicts a harrowing scene of Simmons’ wife bursting into the room with the rapper yelling at his wife to leave as he attempted his assault. After a knock on the door by a manager, Doe says she was able to escape and returned to the lobby to find her cousin, who wasn’t allowed back into the suite after getting her coat.
Jane Doe continued in her suit to add that B.o.B’s team was well aware of the heinous act he allegedly attempted in April. So far, the rapper has yet to issue a formal reply to the claim.
—
Photo: Getty
Trending on Billboard
Adele is slated to make her acting debut in the upcoming Tom Ford adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel Cry to Heaven. According to Deadline, Adele, 37, will join the star-studded cast of the movie that will also be written and produced by Ford through his Fade to Black production shingle.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Among those reportedly lined up to feature in the film set in 18th century Italy are: Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Owen Cooper, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Hunter Schafer, Josephine Thiesen, Thandiwe Newton, Theodore Pellerin, Daryl McCormack, Cassian Bilton, Hauk Hannemann and Lux Pascal.
The film is reportedly in pre-production in London and Rome now, with principal photography set to begin in mid-January for a planned late fall 2026 release. At press time a spokesperson for Adele had not returned Billboard‘s request for confirmation on her debut film role.
The singer known for going off the radar between albums, has been quiet since completing her massive Weekends with Adele residency series in Munich, Germany in August 2024. Her most recent album was her fourth LP, 2021’s 30, which featured the songs “Easy On Me,” “Oh My God,” “Can I Get It” and “I Drink Wine.”
The Rice novel tells the tale of a Venetian nobleman and a castrati singer from Calabria who are both trying to make their names in the opera world. Director and fashion designer Ford has directed two other films to date, beginning with his debut, 2009’s period romance A Single Man about a gay British professor (Colin Firth) living in Los Angeles in the early 1960s.
He followed that with the acclaimed 2016 neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney and others in a story about an art gallery owner (Adams) who receives a manuscript for a novel written by her estranged ex-husband (Gyllenhaal) which appears to mirror their failed relationship. The latter won the 2016 Grand Jury prize at the Venice Film Festival and landed an Oscar nomination for Shannon for best supporting actor.
Trending on Billboard
Gregg Nadel, the veteran executive who most recently held the post of co-chair/co-president of Warner Nashville, has been named president of A&R at Warner Records Group, the company announced today (Nov. 12). In the newly-created role, Nadel will work across the Warner Records U.S., Warner Records U.K. and Warner Records Nashville divisions, and report to Warner Records Group co-chairman/CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck and co-chairman/COO Tom Corson.
Nadel has spent the entirety of his 28-year career in the record business at the Warner Music Group, having gotten his start at Atlantic Records in 1997 and rising through the A&R and marketing ranks, eventually rising to senior vp. He moved to Elektra Records in 2015 as general manager, rising to president two years later before becoming co-president alongside Mike Easterlin in 2018. Elektra was then combined into 300 Entertainment as the 300 Elektra Entertainment Group for a short time in 2022; Easterlin then exited Elektra in 2023 following a reorganization of the broader Warner Music Group, with Nadel becoming sole president again. In September 2024, Nadel was named co-chair/co-president of Warner Nashville alongside Cris Lacy, a post he held until today’s announcement.
Related
“As we continue to build out Warner Records Group as a tight-knit, seamless global ecosystem, having Gregg join us at the group level will be a huge asset,” Bay-Schuck and Corson said in a joint statement. “He’s a rare, all-around music man, with experience in everything from signing chart-topping artists to making records to developing superstars to leading creative teams. His invaluable relationships, calm judgment and gift for bringing out the best in world-class talent will make a real difference as we focus our combined efforts on forging long-term careers with our US, UK and Nashville teams.”
According to a press release, Nadel’s new role will see him align with Lacy in Nashville, Warner Records U.S. head of A&R Karen Kwak, and Warner Records U.K. president Joe Kentish on A&R strategy on a global basis. Nadel will be based in Los Angeles.
“Joining the mothership at Warner Records Group is an extraordinary opportunity to champion amazing artists on the global stage and to connect the dots to bring them to audiences everywhere,” Nadel said in a statement. “An incredible devotion to the music is hard-wired into this company’s DNA, and I’m looking forward to working with Aaron, Tom, Joe, Karen, Cris and their brilliant teams on both sides of the Atlantic to discover, nurture and elevate the next generation of stars.”
