State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
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For months, it looked like the Grammy race for best new artist was likely to come down to Alex Warren and sombr. But a couple of things happened in the past few weeks to make the race more competitive – Olivia Dean exploded with a top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100 (“Man I Need”) and a top 10 album on the Billboard 200 (The Art of Loving). And the Recording Academy ruled Leon Thomas eligible, even though he won a Grammy three years ago for co-writing SZA’s “Snooze.” Now, we have a real race.
With the nominations set to be announced next Friday (Nov. 7), all four of these artists certain to be nominated for best new artist, along with Lola Young. After that, it gets harder to choose, but the field will be rounded out with three other nominees, culled from a list of 337 eligible names.
Final-round voting begins Dec. 12 and extends to Jan. 5. So Dean has about six weeks for her profile to continue building before the first votes are cast.
If Dean (or Young) winds up winning, this will be the ninth year in a row that a solo woman has been named best new artist. The streak started in 2018 with Alessia Cara and has continued with Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, Samara Joy, Victoria Monét and Chappell Roan.
If Warren, somber or Thomas takes the prize, they’d be the first male artist to win since Chance the Rapper in 2017.
The Marías, which span multiple genres and languages, also have a good chance of being nominated. If they were to win, they’d be the first group (defined as an act with three or more members) to take the prize since fun. in 2013. Three other groups are seen as having a reasonably good shot at a nod: Sleep Token, KATSEYE and The Red Clay Strays.
Some of the top contenders have already won new artist prizes at other shows. Warren won best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7. Thomas won best new artist at the BET Awards on June 9. Zach Top, Ella Langley and The Red Clay Strays won the new male, female, and duo/group prizes at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8. Myles Smith won the rising star award at the Brit Awards on March 1.
Even some acts that won new artist awards in 2024 are eligible. Megan Moroney won new artist of the year at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards and new female artist of the year at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards. The Red Clay Strays won emerging artist of the year at the 2024 Americana Music Honors & Awards.
(The Grammys in recent years have erred on the side of being inclusive in this category. In previous eras, they almost seemed to be looking for nitpicky reasons to kick artists out – just ask the people around Whitney Houston and Richard Marx who are probably still smarting over their exclusions.)
BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman, who collaborated on the top five Hot 100 hit “All the Way,” are competing against each other here. Sleep Token and Ken Carson, who both landed No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, are eligible. So is Role Model, who made a vivid impression late in the eligibility year with his irresistible breakthrough hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.”
Other strong contenders, not already mentioned, include Ravyn Lenae, Mariah the Scientist, Addison Rae, Jessie Murph, Gigi Perez, Riley Green, October London, Sam Fender, Reneé Rapp, PinkPantheress, Tucker Wetmore, ATEEZ, Central Cee, Lil Tecca, Parker McCollum and Keke Palmer.
The eligibility period for the 68th Grammy Awards is Aug. 31, 2024, through Aug. 30, 2025. While the Grammys set a minimum number of releases an artist must have to qualify in this category (five singles/tracks or one album), there is no maximum. Instead, the Grammys’ rules and guidelines booklet says nominations for the honor hinge on when “the artist had attained a breakthrough or prominence” — and it delegates that determination to a screening committee.
Artists are allowed to appear on the entry list for best new artist three times, after which they are ruled ineligible for future consideration.
Here are the eight leading nominees for best new artist. The artists are shown in alphabetical order, which is how they’ll be listed on the Grammy nominees list.
Olivia Dean
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For all the meticulous planning that mothers and fathers do before the big day arrives, things have a tendency to go sideways while babies are being born. Just ask Justin Bieber, who earlier this week fessed up to kind of losing his cool in the delivery room when wife Hailey Bieber was giving birth to their son, Jack Blues Bieber, last August.
During one of his now-daily Twitch streams, Bieber described to some friends what it felt like when things got tense between him and the couple’s doula, a non-medical professional who is on hand to provide emotional and physical support during birth. In a grab of the chat from a fan, Bieber says, “I remember dealing with, like… there was tension with… ’cause we had a doula and then we had a nurse as well, and the nurse and the doula were really kind of butting heads.”
Adding to the tension, Bieber said, “then I was butting heads with the doula, and it was just like this… and I was hella emotional because it’s like, this is like one of the most important times of your life, and I remember just like, I think I was being really strong with the doula.” Bieber said his advocacy made wife Hailey feel anxious. “So she’s like, ‘you need to apologize to the doula,’” he said she told him. “Just clear the air.”
So, the “Sorry” singer said he apologized, explaining that his emotions were running high at that moment. “‘I don’t want you to take away from my moment either as the dad,’” he said he told the doula. “‘I got this too.’ There’s times when I need to console Hailey and I felt like she was pushing me to the side so that she could do [her job],” said the singer, who noted that he felt he had “good instincts too” as a first-time dad.
While baby Jack has seemingly not shown up to hang out in the playpen Bieber set up in the middle of the giant studio where he is streaming on Twitch, the singer has been busy since launching the feed last week. So far, he has played a lot of basketball with his crew, sung what sounded like the beginnings of a new song on Monday and, on Wednesday (Oct. 29), did an intense trainer-led group workout with his boys.
Trending on Billboard The NFL is adding more firepower to the Super Bowl LX musical lineup. In addition to halftime headliner Bad Bunny, the football league’s hospitality provider, On Location, announced on Tuesday (Oct. 28) that Sting will headline a Super Bowl-branded concert at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, two days before […]
Trending on Billboard Nick Jonas will have to dip into his music bag for his next big screen role. According to Deadline, the Jonas Brothers member will co-star alongside Paul Rudd in the upcoming John Carney-directed Power Ballad. Explore See latest videos, charts and news The film, due out on June 5, tells the story […]
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Reneé Rapp’s North America trek has come to a premature end, on doctor’s orders.
After health problems forced her to delay shows in Atlanta (Oct. 26) and Tampa (Oct. 27), the pop singer and former Sex Lives of College Girls star has postponed a third consecutive show — the homecoming finale on this Bite Me Tour, originally scheduled for tonight, Oct. 29 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.
“As of right now,” she writes on Instagram Stories, “I still don’t have a voice. I’m recovering slowly,” she adds, “but still not in a place where I am able to perform safely” at her hometown show. “I am so sorry and heartbroken that I have to postpone”.
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The Charlotte show has been rescheduled for Nov. 7, and all original tickets will be valid for the new date.
As previously reported, the Tampa show is now set for Nov. 4 and the Atlanta stop has been nudged to Nov. 5.
“Again,” she continues, “I want to stress that I know the time and effort and preparation attending a show takes. I promise you it doesn’t go unnoticed or unseen. I’m taking this time to recover and then next week for these rescheduled shows I will give you the best version of me. The best version of this show that I love so much. The show you deserve to see.”
On the weekend, Rapp revealed she had never had to reschedule a concert — until now. “I’ve been pushing through an illness but my body has finally given out,” she wrote. “My doctors have told me that it isn’t safe to perform due to the need for vocal rest and physical recovery.”
After completing those North American dates, Rapp will cross the Atlantic in early 2026 for a European jaunt that’s booked to star March 11 at Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium, followed by dates in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, where here sophomore collection Bite Me hit No. 1 in August, for her first leader.
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Halloween came to Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday night, Oct. 28, and Robert Irwin completed a routine that was bloody excellent.
For week seven’s Halloween Night, the Australian conservationist and his dancing partner Witney Carson performed a Tango to “Sweet Dreams are Made of This” by The Hampton String Quartet.
In the clip, which can be seen in full below, Irwin, dressed-up like the Prince of Darkness, tangles with Carson on a fog-filled stage before taking the action to the main floor. Staying in theme to the bitter end, Irwin collects himself from the hardwood and is dragged to hell (or backstage) by dark forces, returning to face the judges with his face splattered in fake blood.
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The judges loved it, as Irwin and Carson collected 38 out of a possible 40 points, their best result yet in the competition which included two perfect 10s. It wasn’t enough, however, to take top spot on the night, as the pair was pipped by Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy with 39/40.
Irwin, the son of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, has a fine chance of emulating the success of his older sister Bindi, who won the 21st season of DWTS, in 2015.
Irwin and Carson had two rounds of action on Tuesday night. The remaining cast members took part in the “Dance Monster-thon,” a dance off which awarded five points to the last pair standing. In the end, those bonus points went to Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who shimmied to a score for the night of 37/40. Elaine Hendrix was a no-show on Tuesday, following an injury suffered during rehearsals.
The remaining contestants in this 34th season of Dancing With the Star includes TV personality Dylan Efron, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, social media star Alix Earle, actress Danielle Fishel and actor Andy Richter. The list of contenders is shrinking. Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik are no longer competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, following their elimination on Tuesday evening.
Dancing with the Stars airs live Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu. The finale will be on Nov. 25.
Spooky season is fully upon us, and most of us will be searching for both tricks and treats. For cannabis enthusiasts, we’ve compiled a quick Halloween gift guide that we believe covers a wide range of options.One thing I’m always clear about when I do these guides is to remind readers that many forms of cannabis, especially recreational, are meant for those at least 21 years of age and older. Anything we suggest on this page, please obey the laws in your state when or if you purchase.Naturally, the idea would be that cannabis-infused edible treats would dominate this guide, but given the trend of going “California Sober” and drinking less alcohol, there are several beverage brands on the market that I thought to inform our readers about.In this roundup, you’ll see some past brands I’ve highlighted in the past, along with some new entries that I hope pique your interest. As always, use these products responsibly and enjoy them safely at home. Halloween is spooky enough; we want everyone to enjoy lifting their spirits on their terms without putting themselves in harm’s way.Have a happy Halloween weekend.
1. Artifact
Source:Artifact
Artifact comes from the mind of Ryan Rickett, who wanted to create smoking accessories that not only did their jobs but also looked the part. The stylish Tempest is part pipe, part conversation starter, and all art.
Learn more here.
2. Bay Smokes
Source:Bay Smokes
William Goodall and Katiana Kay founded Bay Smokes after dabbling in the CBD business. Today, they’re all about THCa flower, a growing category born of the innovations in hemp-derived cannabinoids development. There is also a connection with the world of Hip-Hop, with Lil Baby and 21 Savage sharing their love of the product.
Learn more here.
3. BRĒZ
Source:BRĒZ
BRĒZ is one of the first cannabis-infused drink brands to incorporate mushrooms and adaptogens, and has now expanded its offerings to include drinks with or without hemp-derived THC. At a later date, I need to try out the brand’s Spirit, which combines CBD, mushrooms, and THC. I’m already a fan of their OG product.
Learn more here.
4. Bubby’s Baked
Source:Bubby’s Baked
I’ve already gone on record to say that Bubby’s Baked are some of the best-tasting edibles you’ll find on the market. Baked goods that get you baked? Sign us up for that.
Learn more here.
5. COAST Cannabis Co.
Source:COAST Cannabis Co
COAST Cannabis Co. is a brand founded in Massachusetts by a husband and wife team, and serves Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maryland. For Halloween, check out COAST’s Cookies & Scream. You can see what they’re going for there.
Learn more here.
6. Crescent Canna
Source:crescent canna
Crescent Canna, based in New Orleans, specializes in THC drinks, edibles, and CBD products. The drinks are where the brand excels, with options like Wobble, which combines caffeine and THC, Crescent 9, a THC seltzer, and Zezi, which is non-sparkling THC water. I can personally vouch for Crescent 9 and Wobble being the real deal.
Learn more here.
7. CQ
Source:CQ
CQ bills itself as the first cannabis beverage company, and with that much skin in the game, CQ’s portfolio has expanded to hemp-derived THC drinks. There are also dispensary-only drops at varying dosages, sizes, and flavors.
Learn more here.
8. DaySavers
Source:DaySavers
DaySavers is all about flower delivery, if you can pick up what I’m putting down. What I mean is that between their pre-roll cones, cleverly named Filla Blunts, filters, and the Perfect Pack rolling machine, they’ve got the accessories game on lock.
Learn more here.
9. FLORA+BAST
Source:FLORA+BAST
FLORA+BAST is a brand we’ve featured before. Their approach to cannabis as it applies to overall wellness is refreshing, and they have products made for intimacy, alertness, and also cannabis-infused skincare.
Learn more here.
10. Gelato Canna
Source:Gelato Canna
Gelato Canna is all about flower, vape cartridges, and even shake from larger flower buds. Their gummies and Last Bite edibles are also on the menu. They’re only in a handful of states, all of which are recreational.
Learn more here.
11. Higher Standard
Source:Higher Standard
Higher Standard is a new line of functional cannabis gummies formulated for several tasks, moods, and situations. The self-explanatory names of the gummies lineup sound intriguing. The gamut is covered from sexy time to nighttime.
Learn more here.
12. Hometown Hero
Source:Hometown Hero
I haven’t gotten a pitch from the homies at Hometown Hero, but that’s okay. When you make a good product, you keep seeking it out. The brand always has something fun every year for Halloween, and this year is no different. They’re also in the CBD space along with their hemp-derived THC items.
Learn more here.
13. ILGM
Source:ILGM
For the growers, ILGM has an array of seeds on deck, but they’re really highlighting their Tangie Queen release. It’s a limited-edition drop, so if you’re into sativa, this is the one.
Learn more here.
14. Indacloud
Source:Indacloud
It’s been a grip since I got a pitch from the Indacloud gang. Few companies can match them on the variety of flower, vape carts, gummies, and more. And what’s also great, everything is fairly priced, lab-tested, and always quality.
Learn more here.
15. Juana Cannabis
Source:Juana Edibles
Juana Cannabis puts women in the center while developing their line of flower, vapes, and edibles. The brand’s Calm gummy is one of its functional options, along with products that aid focus, intimacy, and rest.
Learn more here.
16. LumiBloom
Source:LumiBloom
LumiBloom is a Black and woman-owned CBD brand that takes on the tasks of assisting with relaxation, pain relief, and sleep. Among the LumiBloom slate of products, bath bombs, tinctures, and roll-on gels are all designed to ease one into the settled parts of their day.
Learn more here.
17. Muha Meds
Source:Muha Meds
Muha Meds has it all with potent pre-rolls, shockingly powerful all-in-one disposable cartridges, concentrates, and more. They’re also in the THCa game as well.
Learn more here.
18. Nature’s Heritage
Source:Nature’s Heritage
We’re bringing Nature’s Heritage Mycrodose back again because it seems like mushrooms and cannabis are going to keep having moments in the space. With four varieties covering energy to getting a good night’s rest, Myrcodose has the potential to change the landscape.
Learn more here.
19. Nowadays
Source:Nowadays
Nowadays approaches the world of drinkable cannabis by meeting people where they are. With low dose to high dose ranges, you can determine your level with the promise of a gentle ease of a landing once the effects wane. We haven’t tried this one yet but it does boast an impressive lineup.
Learn more here.
20. Pamos
Source:Pamos
We can appreciate the simplicity of Pamos, which enters the cannabis beverage space with three options. Microdose clocks in with just 2 mg each of hemp-derived THC and CBD. Signature clocks in at with a THC and CBD number of 5 and 2 mg, and Reserve cranks the THC to 10, keeping the CBD level the same. This product is designed to be used as a cocktail base, just without the booze.
Learn more here.
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When Michael Bublé suggested that “Wreck-It” Ralph Edwards could smash the competition in this 28th season of The Voice, he was onto something.
Edwards had just finished an impressive rendition of Teddy Swims’ “I Lose Control” in his Battle with Jerrell Melton, when Bublé let the love flow.
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The Fresno, California could “go far on the show,” he remarked.
There’s apparently no stopping Edwards, as he shifted gears from that final round of Battles on Monday night, Oct. 27, and leapt into the first wave of Knockouts.
Next up, the 30-year-old Team Snoop singer went for the heartstrings with a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Dive.” Edwards, who proposed to his partner after his Blind Audition, didn’t have any trouble finding the emotional buttons.
“Wow, Ralph,” coach Niall Horan enthused. “The stuff that you were doing. I actually didn’t recognize it as your voice. It was so different than what we’ve heard. You could easily win this show, dude.”
Reba McEntire weighted in. “Wow. What a voice,” the coach and country star remarked. “It comes from your toenails. It’s just incredible.”
Bublé knows he’s looking at, and hearing, the real deal. “You have that grit in your voice, but man, you sort of saved it. You let us hear the sweetness and the softness,” the Canadian king of Christmas remarked. “It looked easy for you, dude.”
Snoop Dogg had a call to make. Edwards or Kenny Iko?
There could be only one. The rap legend tapped Edwards, while Iko goes home. “I think Ralph has the ‘it’ factor,” Snoop noted. “The ‘it’ factor is that he could actually win it, this competition. Knockout performances are really the groundbreaking, award-worthy, top of the line, performing at his highest level.”
Earlier, Snoop welcomed Zac Brown to mentor his team before the Knockouts. “My team is smoking,” Snoop remarked, with some authority.
The Knockout episodes will air every Monday on NBC until Nov. 24. Then, the Playoffs will beam out on Monday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Dec. 8 on NBC, with the Season 28 Live Finale set to spread over the two nights of Dec. 15 and 16. Episodes stream the following day on Peacock.
Watch Iko and Edwards’ Knockout performances below.
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Cornel Wilczek, Megan Washington and Bluey composer Joff Bush were in the winners’ circle Tuesday night, Oct. 28, as the 2025 Screen Music Awards were presented in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.
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With two donut-shaped trophies, Wilczek, the Melbourne-based composer, was the big winner on the night, taking out best music for a television drama (Fake) alongside 2024 emerging screen composer of the year champion Alex Olijnyk; plus best opening title television theme with Thomas Rouch for the Netflix adaptation of the Jane Harper book, The Survivors.
Washington, winner of several ARIA Awards, including best female artist back in 2010, now has a Screen Music Award for her collection. The homegrown talent won for best original song composed for the Screen with “Dream On,” lifted from How to Make Gravy, the film adaptation of Paul Kelly’s beloved Christmas song.
The gravy kept flowing as Electric Fields, who performed the song in the movie, closed the evening with a stunning performance, accompanied by a choir led by Deline Briscoe.
Another Queensland creative, the celebrated children’s screen composer, Joff Bush, scooped most performed screen composer – overseas for his work on Bluey, the most-streamed show in the United States in 2024. Bush won the same category in 2023.
Meanwhile, Adam Gock and Dinesh Wicks extended their impressive streak, scoring most performed screen composer – Australia for the 11th time, thanks to their work on Farmer Wants a Wife, LEGO Masters, MasterChef and Travel Guides.
Jed Kurzel nabbed feature film score of the year for the British period action-drama Tornado, his fourth win in the category after Monkey Man (2024), Slow West (2015) and Snowtown (2011).
Veteran screen composer Christopher Gordon was awarded the coveted distinguished services to the Australian screen award in recognition of his “extraordinary body of work and enduring contribution to the screen music industry.”
Legendary Australian director Bruce Beresford was on hand to present the trophy to Gordon, with whom he has collaborated on several acclaimed films including Ladies in Black and Mao’s Last Dancer.
“I feel like such an imposter, there are so many people worthy of this award,” Gordon remarked, before exploring his self-destructive 20s and how he got a fresh, healthier mindset through his connections with the Screen Writers Guild. “I got my life together.” He continued, “the support that I felt and the sense of community with other composers was extremely important for me.” He also discussed the drought he experienced between film scores, something every creative needs to prepare for. “You really need patience in this business.”
Stage and screen star David Wenham hosted the ceremony alongside Mark Coles Smith and Nathalie Morris, with Erkki Veltheim returning as music director, helming a live orchestra performing selections from nominated works.
The evening got away with a bloody Halloween trick, with a creepy orchestral piece set to a grisly edit from Wolf Creek, the horror film which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Wenham would describe the moment as “probably the most terrifying opening to an awards, ever.” It was a good thing the hundreds of guests at Fortitude Music Hall had finished their dinner.
Presented for the first time in the Sunshine State, the annual ceremony is an initiative of APRA AMCOS and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC).
During his third and final speech leading the AGSC as president, Dale Cornelius touched on streaming quotas, AI, the human condition and more. Cornelius will hand the reins over to composer and Go-Betweens great Amanda Brown, who was in the audience, but not before he returned to the stage to collect the win for best music for a short film, for The Way Home.
Timing is everything. And, with the federal government on Monday ruling out a controversial proposed exemption to the Copyright Act that would allow for text and data mining, the timing wasn’t lost on guests and speakers.
“This is a massive win,” Jenny Morris, chair of APRA AMCOS, remarked from the podium. And not just for APRA AMCOS members, “but for every creator in the room and the country.” She continued, “we said ‘no.’ And importantly, we said no together…when we unite, when we speak with one voice, we are unstoppable.”
The music community, she continued, had real cause to celebrate after a such an “historic” victory.
Click here for the full list of 2025 Screen Music Awards winners.
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Tame Impala’s first full-length studio album in five years, Deadbeat, makes a splashy start on Billboard’s charts, as the set launches at No. 1 on six different rankings (dated Nov. 1). It bows at No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums, Top Dance Albums (the act’s first entry on the list), Vinyl Albums and Indie Store Album Sales.
Deadbeat also lands in the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200 (No. 4, the act’s third top five-charting project), Top Album Sales (No. 2), Top Current Album Sales (No. 2) and Top Streaming Albums (No. 7).
Deadbeat is Tame Impala’s (Kevin Parker) first release for Columbia Records after signing with the label in July. According to a press statement announcing the album in September, the project was inspired by the Western Australia rave scene.
The album debuts with 70,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending Oct. 23, according to Luminate, with 38,000 of that sum in pure album sales — individual purchases of physical and digital copies of the album. Vinyl sales account for 28,000 of that total — the best week ever on vinyl for Tame Impala.
Tracks from Deadbeat also take over Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, with eight of the album’s cuts populating the 25-position ranking, including six of the top 10. “Dracula” debuts at No. 1 (the act’s first No. 1), followed by fellow new entries “My Old Ways” (No. 3), “No Reply” (No. 5), “Oblivion” (No. 7), “Not My World” (No. 8), “Afterthought” (No. 10), “End of Summer” (No. 11) and “Ethereal Connection” (No. 12).
Over on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, 11 of the 12 tracks from Deadbeat dot the 50-position tally: “Dracula” (rising 7-3, a new peak), “My Old Ways” (No. 8, debut), “Loser” (40-13, a new peak), “No Reply” (No. 17, debut), “Oblivion” (No. 21, debut), “Obsolete” (No. 22, debut), “Piece of Heaven” (No. 23, debut), “Not My World” (No. 24, debut), “Afterthought” (No. 27, debut), “End of Summer” (No. 31, reentry) and “See You On Monday (You’re Lost)” (No. 36, debut).
Deadbeat has also given Tame Impala its first entries on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, as “Dracula,” which debuted in October, vaults into the top 40 for the first time, rising 59-33. Meanwhile, “My Old Ways” and “Loser” debut at Nos. 56 and 91, respectively.
