State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
Page: 228
Trending on Billboard
As Taylor Swift sang on last year’s Tortured Poets Department: “We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.” Maybe the pop singer/songwriter just needs his next era to get even bigger than he already is (the man has four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, including the 12-week No. 1 “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa, after all). And that next era is on the horizon, with the announcement of his fourth studio album Whatever’s Clever!, due in March, and the release of the lead single “Changes” last week.
Over the past month, Puth has been testing out some of his new material during a 16-show residency across Blue Note New York (Sept. 25-28) and Blue Note Los Angeles (Oct. 16-19), bringing jazzy reimaginings of some of his biggest hits to the legendary jazz club stage. Billboard was inside the final Los Angeles concert over the weekend, and on the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie is telling Keith all about seeing Puth play at such an intimate venue.
Katie was mostly struck by what a good fit the venue was for Charlie and his catalog, as “Professor Puth” (known for sharing his music education with the TikTok audience) led an incredibly talented band of instrumentalists and backup singers through a masterclass of live pop. And as for the new songs — we heard “Beat Yourself Up” and “Changes” from the upcoming album on Sunday night — the crowd was just as into the brand-new tunes as they were into “Attention,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “How Long” and, of course, “See You Again.” It seems that this new Dad Rock vibe Puth is leaning into (appropriately, the “Changes” music video also doubled as a pregnancy announcement for him and his wife Brooke) is going to be a perfect match.
Listen to the full conversation here:
And speaking of Taylor Swift… also on the show, we’ve got chart news about how Swift continues to hold down the No. 1 spots on both the Billboard 200 albums and Billboard Hot 100 songs charts with The Life of a Showgirl and lead single “The Fate of Ophelia,” while Olivia Dean makes gains on the Billboard 200 with The Art of Loving.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
Trending on Billboard
Rising global stars of Latin music like Aitana (Spain), Silvana Estrada (Mexico), Yami Safdie (Argentina), Ela Taubert (Colombia) and Yailin (Dominican Republic) gathered Tuesday (Oct. 21) to discuss the challenges of achieving gender equity in the music industry during the second day of activities at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida.
During the “Women’s Panel: Global Rise,” moderated by Billboard Español editor Sigal Ratner-Arias, the artists also talked about the biggest challenges they’ve faced as women in the music industry, the role of social media in their lives and careers, how they’ve found their unique sound, and the importance of mental health.
The conversation showcased a wide range of opinions, styles, cultures, creative processes and challenges faced by these female stars in the Latin music industry, who share similarities in age (all in their 20s), a solid career path in music, and clear global growth. Some of them have won Latin Grammy Awards and sold out stadiums in their home countries
“When we come together, we are stronger,” Estrada, who won the Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2022, said as she spoke about the challenge of achieving gender equity in an industry that has historically been predominantly male-led and highly competitive.
Yami Safdie, who started out years ago as a popular content creator in Argentina, stated that the standards for men and women in the music industry are different. From her experience, she said, “Women are constantly being pitted against one another.”
“I didn’t know how to dance, and in this industry, they teach you that pop singers must know how to dance well, but men aren’t expected to dance well,” added Spanish star Aitana. “I thought, I’m not a good pop artist if I can’t put on a show.”
Silvana Estrada shared that many people told her she wouldn’t be able to achieve her dreams, but her strong belief in herself helped her turn her aspirations in music into a reality. She added that she has received great support from colleagues and friends like fellow Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. “The rivalry [imposed by society on women] is designed to weaken us, to isolate us, when in reality, when we come together, we are stronger,” she expressed.
Colombian artist Ela Taubert admitted that winning the Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2024 left her feeling insecure about what would come next and whether she would be able to meet expectations. “I’m afraid of disappointing people. The pressure is there,” she said. “But then came the advice from my mom… The key is to enjoy the process.”
Yailin, who was a bit more reserved than her peers on the panel, spoke about the importance of mental health and recalled being a victim of online hate due to her high-profile relationships with urban music artists. “I faced hate I didn’t deserve,” she said, “but my way of dealing with it was by delivering joyful music to my audience.”
With over 30 years of history, Latin Music Week is the largest and most important gathering of Latin artists and music industry executives worldwide. The event also coincides with the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025, which will air on Thursday (Oct. 23) on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as the Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
Reggaeton icon Ivy Queen and icon in the making Tokischa joined forces at 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week on Wednesday (Oct. 22) for a candid conversation about feminism, sexuality and music — also marking the first time the Dominican breakout star and Puerto Rican icon met.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
“I’ve seen a lot of perceptions of who you are, how you present yourself. What do you feel when people put a label on you without knowing you?” Ivy Queen asked Tokischa.
“I recently went to the dermatologist who says she’s religious,” Tokischa said. “She started talking to me about God and told me that I had a very big name, Altagracia [her middle name]. I understand what it means. It’s the name of the virgin, a message from God. People don’t expect me to be a person who believes in God, who prays, who gives thanks, who asks for forgiveness. I’m a firm believer in God, and I know what that name entails.”
Amid the conversation — during which they bonded over breaking stereotypes in the music industry, having things in common like being Pisces, and talked about relationships — Tokischa opened up about the ultra-personal album she’s working on.
“I finished my album mid-year. I worked on a super intimate project, spending seven months in the studio all day,” she expressed. “[On the album] I’m talking about my story — beyond being Tokischa la perra, la bellacal, I’m raw and honest, in terms of all the traumas I’ve overcome, from my years as an addict. I had an unstable moment because I had to uncover all those traumas and record. In my career, I’ve had to start over from scratch twice.”
“That’s normal. It’s happened to me a lot. If it’s about being reborn, I’m a phoenix,” Ivy Queen said, sharing encouraging advice. “This business takes the best of you. You have to ride the wave while it lasts, and when the sea is rough, know how to balance yourself. I considered myself an ugly duckling in this industry, and I had to blossom. You are blossoming. You’re at a stage where you’re enjoying being human, and I want you to keep rocking it, to continue being you.”
Spanning 36 years, Latin Music Week is the single largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event — which also features Carlos Vives, Carín León, Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Gloria Estefan, Kapo, Laura Pausini, Netón Vega, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, and Xavi, among others — hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
Country fans are getting an early look at Lainey Wilson‘s role in the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him courtesy of a trailer released Tuesday (Oct. 21).
The movie — due in theaters March 13 — follows protagonist Kenna Rowan (played by Maika Monroe), who makes a mistake that sends her to prison. After seven years, she returns to her hometown in Wyoming, seeking to reunite with her young daughter Diem. After Diem’s custodial grandparents deny Kenna the opportunity to reconnect with Diem, Kenna forms a connection with a local bar own named Ledger Ward (played by Tyriq Withers).
Wilson, who is one of the leading nominees at November’s CMA Awards, portrays the role of Kenna’s friend and coworker, Amy. In the trailer, Wilson’s character is seen speaking with Kenna.
“What’s your trauma?” Wilson’s character Amy says during a brief scene.
Kenna replies that she just got out of prison and is struggling to find work.
“Sh–, you win,” Wilson replies.
The film is an adaptation of Hoover’s 2022 book Reminders of Him, which sold more than 6 million copies in the United States; Colleen Hoover also wrote the bestselling book It Ends With Us, which was turned into a movie starring Blake Lively last year. The Reminders of Him cast also includes Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford as Diem’s grandparents Grace and Patrick, while Rudy Pankow portrays Diem’s father Scotty. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Robertson playing Kenna’s landlord Ruth, while Zoe Kosovic portrays Kenna’s daughter.
The role in Reminders of Him will mark Wilson’s feature film debut, though she has previously had a recurring role on the television show Yellowstone.
Wilson just released a new EP, titled Peace, Love & Cowboys (Holiday Edition), on Oct. 17. After co-hosting last year’s CMA Awards with Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, Wilson will solo host this year’s show for the first time. She is also on her headlining Whirlwind World Tour, which has included sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
See the trailer for Reminders of Him below:
Trending on Billboard
A trip to Honolulu might be in store for Kid Cudi, as 2008’s “Maui Wowie” debuted on the latest Billboard Hot 100 (for the week of Oct. 25) at No. 71, which comes 17 years after its initial arrival.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
A viral TikTok trend has sparked renewed interest in the A Kid Named Cudi standout, which has thousands of fans hanging from street crosswalk signs, singing along to the breezy cut.
Kid Cudi celebrated the track’s revival and chart entry on Tuesday (Oct. 21) with a post to social media.
“This is MEGA!!! Debuting #71 on the @billboard charts 17 years later,” he penned to Instagram. “This is a true example of timeless music. To all the fans who made this happen, I LOVE YOU!! Lets keep it going yall!!!”
Last week, Cudi himself joined in on the trend while dangling from a crosswalk sign in front of Progressive Field in his hometown of Cleveland. “Goin’ back to Honolulu just to get that/ That Maui Wowie, that Maui Wowie,” he crooned.
A TikTok user by the name of @aaronxbrownn has widely been credited with sparking the trend in September. “Yeeaaaaaaaaa Thank u to everyone for posting my song and havin fun and showing love!!! 17 years old and timeless,” Cudi captioned the clip of himself getting in on the viral trend, which has over 22 million views.
Last week, the track debuted at No. 24 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and hit No. 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.
This is a welcome surprise for Cudi and his fans, as the Ohio native explained he’d be stepping away from music to pursue other creative endeavors for the immediate future. “It’s gonna be a while between now and the next Kid Cudi album,” he said in September. “So I wanted to leave you with a little something that could motivate you, uplift you… I made it earlier this year, just f—ing around in the studio.”
Listen to “Maui Wowie” below.
Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty
Gucci Mane’s wife, Keyshia Ka’oir continues to prove why she’s wifey goals.
In a recent interview, both Mr.& Mrs. Guwop get vulnerable with The Breakfast Club about their relationship. They have gone through obstacles, but one really stood out. In the midst of the pandemic, the “Verzuz” series was a hit. We got classic battles between The Lox vs.The Diplomats. Seeing Jadakiss and Cam’Ron bicker back and forth was one for the books. On the R&B side, we got Brandy vs. Monica. But Gucci Mane & Jeezy in the same building, under the same roof?
Nobody expected it.
Gucci’s wife recalls having a conversation with him before the battle, asking him not to do the battle, “I told him not to”. Keyshia also offered her hubby a bag not to partake due to the past beef Wop & Jeezy have had, “You’re not doing that, I will pay you a million dollars not to do this.” The trap legend confirmed that she wasn’t capping, “She told me that. I swear to God.”
In retrospect, the Verzuz could have very well gone left when Gucci performed “Truth” which was a diss track towards Jeezy. Even admitting that if Jeezy had barked back with his diss, he wouldn’t have been able to handle it. Long story short, it could have gotten ugly.
Get you a Keyshai Ka’oir in your life.
Trending on Billboard
Seemingly small initiatives can make a big impact when it comes to making festivals greener — a point Oregon’s Cascade Equinox Festival is demonstrating with its ongoing sustainability program.
The festival’s third edition happened Sep. 19-21 in Redmond, Oregon, with organizers once again implementing a program they say has helped plant hundreds of trees and protect thousands of acres of rainforest in the event’s first three years.
Related
The program is designed around the “Eco-Band initiative,” which allows attendees to upgrade their passes to include a 100% hemp wristband for $20. A representative for the event reports that this year’s program raised enough money to plant 394 trees in Oregon forests and to protect roughly 511 acres of land in Ecuador. Another roughly $700 raised through donations on the festival’s website went to the protection of another 177 acres of the same Ecuadorian land, which is home to jaguars and Andean bears.
Since Cascade Equinox’s 2023 debut, the hemp wristband program has raised funds to plant 601 trees in the local Willamette National Forest and to protect 1,665 acres of Amazon rainforest. The latter initiative has been done in partnership with SAVIMBO, an organization founded by Indigenous leaders in the Colombian Amazon that pays Indigenous peoples and subsistence farmers in tropical forests to preserve these ecosystems. The festival’s project has specifically worked with the Cofán Indigenous Community in Chandia Na’en, Ecuador.
The hemp wristband program was executed in partnership with Green Disco, an organization composed of promoters, producers and environmental experts who consult on live events, along with Earthwin.org, which works to expand education on mindful living for global well-being.
“Sustainability is a core principle for Cascade Equinox, and in leading by example we hope that other festivals notice and make similar efforts and improvements,” festival organizer Josh Pollack tells Billboard. “We’re thrilled to have planted over 600 native trees locally in Oregon and preserved over 1,600 acres of Amazon rainforest in Ecuador over three years. Big thanks to Earthwin and Green Disco for being incredible partners and sharing our vision for music festivals making a positive ecological impact both locally and globally.”
The 2025 edition of Cascade Equinox Festival featured artists including Sylvan Esso, Disclosure, Big Gigantic, TroyBoi and Chromeo. The next event is slated for Sept. 18-20, 2026.
Billboard‘s Live Music Summit will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.billboardlivemusicsummit.com/2025/home-launch.
Trending on Billboard
Louis Tomlinson had some choice words for Logan Paul in a recent interview, with the former One Direction star saying he’ll “forever despise” the YouTuber for the way he handled an interview with late bandmate Liam Payne in 2022.
In a profile for The Independent published over the weekend, Tomlinson didn’t hold back when asked about the controversial episode of Paul’s Impaulsive podcast that featured Payne — who appeared to be drinking whiskey throughout the conversation — speaking negatively of his boy-band days and shading his former bandmates. “I f—ing forever despise [Logan Paul]. Horrible, horrible little f—er,” he said of the social media star.
“I think that’s also the problem with some of this new ‘media,’” he continued. “I would like to think most journalists — some journalists have a duty of care.”
Though Tomlinson didn’t go into specifics about his issues with Paul’s interview, the singer did say that he was bothered by fan backlash to Payne saying on Impaulsive that he had been the designated leader of 1D. “It was definitely a role that was assigned to him,” he told the publication. “That is the truth.”
The interview comes just over a year after Payne — who was open about his struggles with substance abuse — died in a fall from the balcony of his fourth-floor hotel room in Argentina. Toxicology reports later found that he’d had dangerous amounts of alcohol in his system at the time of the accident.
Two years prior, Payne set the 1D fandom ablaze with his appearance on Impaulsive, during which he also said that he and Tomlinson had “hated” one another during their time in the band. “Louis was wild, and he wanted to be wild, and that’s his spirit,” Payne told Paul at the time. “Also he’s my best mate now, but in the band, we hated each other.”
But while speaking to The Independent, Tomlinson had nothing but kind words for his late friend, whose death he says has “definitely” brought the surviving members of 1D closer together. “Yeah, and the best kind of friends are the ones where, when you eventually do meet up, it’s like no time has passed,” he told the publication. “It’s also just amazing to see everyone doing so well in their own right.”
Trending on Billboard
Kali Uchis remembered her humble beginnings in music on Tuesday (Oct. 21) at Billboard Latin Music Week, where she sat for a Superstar Q&A moderated by Billboard Español‘s associated editor Isabela Raygoza at The Fillmore Miami Beach on the second day of the event.
The Colombian-American artist — who just wrapped up her Sincerely, Tour in U.S. arenas and announced the Latin American leg for 2026 — released her first mixtape, Drunken Babble, in 2012, during a time of struggle, while she was living in her car. The mixtape instantly caught the attention of A$AP Rocky, Diplo and Snoop Dogg, who shared her music on his blog, Raygoza said.
“I really started at the bottom,” the bilingual singer-songwriter said, adding that artistry and music have always been first for her. “I never had it in my head ‘I have to be this successful or make these numbers.’ I was very naïve in the industry. I’ve just always been an artist. I love to make things.”
During the conversation, Uchis also revealed that she almost left her biggest hit, “Telepatía,” out of her sophomore album, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) from 2020. “It had to grow on me. I loved it when I made it and then I was like, ‘hmmm, I don’t know,’” said,
Kali Uchis graced Billboard‘s cover in October, delving into motherhood, touring on a bus and refusing to choose one language over the other to sing in. Read the full story here.
Spanning more than 30 years, Latin Music Week is the largest gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. This year’s event once again hosts panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking and activations, in addition to its celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases.
Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.
Trending on Billboard
David Geffen’s estranged husband has dropped a scandalous lawsuit that leveled shocking abuse allegations against the music and film mogul while seeking lifelong financial support.
Geffen will continue to fight it out in divorce court over temporary spousal support and potential asset division with Donovan Michaels, a former exotic dancer who married the 82-year-old billionaire without a prenup in 2023. But Michaels’ lawyers filed a court notice on Friday (Oct. 17) dropping a civil lawsuit that had sought far more: “financial support commensurate with his lifestyle for the rest of his life.”
Related
Michaels’ civil case, brought in July after Geffen initiated divorce proceedings, aired years of dirty laundry and leveled shocking allegations against the Asylum Records and Geffen Records founder.
The 32-year-old (born David Armstrong) claimed that Geffen began paying him for sex after they met through the website SeekingArrangements.com in 2016. Michaels said Geffen treated him as a “sexual commodity” and plied him with drugs and alcohol as “tools of coercion” during their relationship and eventual marriage.
At the heart of the lawsuit was Michaels’ claim that Geffen promised to provide him with “lifetime support.” Michaels said he relied on this assurance when he gave up a modeling career to be a full-time husband to Geffen.
Geffen, meanwhile, fervently denied Michaels’ claims as “petty gossip and salacious lies.” The billionaire said Michaels was merely trying to extort a lucrative settlement out of him, and that he never promised any sort of lifelong financial support.
Related
Now that the civil lawsuit has been dropped, lawyers for the estranged couple will focus their attention on a more traditional marriage dissolution proceeding filed by Geffen in May. Geffen is asking in that case for a judge to declare that his only financial obligation to Michaels is $50,000 per month in spousal support for just one year.
Geffen says the judge should note that he’s already given Michaels $5 million worth of art and jewelry, and notes that the couple lived “separate lives” during the mere 23 months they were married. Geffen claims that because he was retired and making no income during the marriage, there aren’t any marital assets to share with Michaels.
“While respondent will have far less wealth than petitioner due to petitioner’s vast separate property estate when the parties’ married, respondent will certainly walk away from this brief marriage with more wealth than most Americans,” wrote Geffen’s attorney Parima Pandkhou in a Sept. 18 divorce filing.
Michaels, however, says it remains an open question whether Geffen made money through investments during their marriage that should be considered joint assets. Michaels has slammed Geffen for trying to “conceal the truth about his enormous wealth” and says the divorce cannot be finalized until he gets a chance to look at Geffen’s books.
Related
“This is quite literally a case of David and Goliath,” wrote Michael’s lawyer Samantha Spector on Oct. 2. “While David has repeatedly yet falsely attempted to portray himself as an aging ‘retiree,’ the reality is that he remains an enormously important power player in uber wealthy circles who, through a myriad of capitalist ventures, is one of the highest income earners on the planet.”
Michaels’ and Geffen’s lawyers are set to appear in Los Angeles family court for a hearing on Nov. 14. Neither side returned a request for comment from Billboard on Tuesday (Oct. 21).
