State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
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‘Tis the season! It’s that time of year to deck the halls, put on some Christmas music and start buying presents for your loved ones. And if they are music enthusiasts, we have the perfect festive offerings to gift – under the tree or otherwise.
Ariana Grande, The Beatles, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Bleachers, Dolly Parton, Journey, the KPop Demon Hunters (although not technically a band), Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter all offer specific holiday or winter-themed merch that will thrill their fans.
From ornaments to wrapping paper, T-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, socks, vinyl, robes, pajamas, candles, hats and more, there are plenty of presents for the people in your lives. Some items are going fast – if you have a Swiftie in your life, act quickly. And while the KPop Demon Hunters aren’t specifically holiday themed, we know the kids will go wild for those items.
Of course, if their favorite artist doesn’t have specific Christmas merchandise, feel free to check out their online shops for inspiration. And if you’re looking for other ideas – peruse our gift guides: 20 viral gifts you should shop this season, gifts for Latin music lovers, affordable gifts under $10, gamer gifts, and more thoughtful gifts.
Here are 13 artists who dropped holiday merch below. As a bonus, we’ve added a song from each to set the mood – like Grande’s “Santa Tell Me,” Carey’s new classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm,” Carpenter’s “A Nonsense Christmas“ – when you’re spending your money.
Ariana Grande
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Trending on Billboard Benny Blanco‘s mom, Sandra Levin, was the victim of a scary robbery attempt at her Studio City, Calif. home earlier this week. According to ABC7, police said Levin was unharmed after burglars smashed their way into her home while she was there alone. Authorities did not identify Levin by name, but neighbors […]
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In much the same way that Oasis spent more than a decade and a half swearing that they would never play together again, now it seems like they can’t wait to go back out on the road for another run. The group wrapped up their massive Live ’25 reunion tour in Brazil on Sunday (Nov. 23) after playing 41 sold-out shows on five continents.
The first gigs in 16 years from formerly battling brothers singer Liam Gallagher and guitarist/songwriter Noel Gallagher were rapturously received and left fans begging for more. So it’s been a bit of a roller-coaster ride trying to figure out if there actually are additional shows in the offing. While the band has not officially announced any 2026 plans, Liam has been dropping Easter eggs that have begged more questions than they’ve answered.
Earlier this month he wrote “I know things you don’t” on X after earlier teasing that “it’s not even half time yet,” before admitting that there was a “few tuts and raised eyebrows” when he’d earlier told fans that he would see them next year. And then he was more succinct when a commenter asked for just one word on a potential 2026 tour: “No,” he answered.
That definitive shutdown seemed to be confirmed on Tuesday (Nov. 25) when the band posted a series of pics from the tour with the message “there will now be a pause for a period of reflection.”
And then Liam eased the door open a bit, again.
Responding to a number of X comments pressing him on when Oasis will tour again and if the first swing’s rigid setlist might loosen up the next time around, Liam spread a little holiday joy with another seeming hint of what’s to come. “There’s loads more classics we need to play for you when we go out again I mean happy Christmas,” Gallagher wrote on Tuesday.
When one of them proposed an alternate setlist with some of the favorites that were missing the first time around, Gallagher gave a thumbs up to a few of the ideas, writing, “Defo doing ‘Hindu Times’ ‘Colombia’ and ‘Go let it out’ I mean happy Christmas,” he said.
The hits kept coming, as a fan speculated that they felt like “a new album is coming and you’re just hiding it really well.” Liam wasn’t quite as jovial about that one, responding, “It’s not I honestly do t see the point it won’t be as good as the old stuff im quite happy singing the old stuff I’m not 1 of those WANKERS that need to keep pushing it forward or sideways or backwards in some cases NOSTALGIA forever.”
In case you missed his point, he added, “New music is for WANKERS.”
So, to recap: absolutely no new music, a definitely maybe setlist shakeup and more dates for sure, unless not.
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The team behind Together For Palestine, the sold-out OVO Arena Wembley gig that raised over £2 million ($2.6 million) for Palestinian causes in September, have announced a charity Christmas single.
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Brian Eno, Celeste, Neneh Cherry, Mabel and Bastille’s Dan Smith are among the names that will feature on “Lullaby,” released by T4P and distributed by global indie EMPIRE on Dec. 12 – the day the U.K.’s Official Christmas No. 1 race kicks off.
The single will see a group of U.K. and Palestinian artists join forces to rework “Yamma Mweel El Hawa,” a traditional Palestinian lullaby. All proceeds going to Choose Love’s Together For Palestine Fund, supporting three Palestinian-led organizations Taawon, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and Palestine Medical Relief Service in light of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Other acts involved include Amena, Kieran Brunt (Shards), Lana Lubany, Leigh-Anne, London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC), Nadine Shah, Nai Barghouti, Sura Abdo, TYSON, Yasmeen Ayyashi and Ysee.
The track is produced by Benji B, Kieran Brunt and Henri Davies, mixed by David Wrench and Valgeir Sidurðsson and mastered by Matt Colton, and was arranged and recomposed by Kieran Brunt and Nai Barghouti, with English lyrics written by Peter Gabriel. Together For Palestine are encouraging fans to pre-order “Lullaby” on BandCamp, iTunes and Amazon, or pre-save the single on their chosen streaming service ahead of its release.Palestinian musician Nai Barghouti said in a statement: “This lullaby from our Palestinian musical heritage has been with me since early childhood. Today, it returns at a much-needed time as a reminder of what Palestinians will never lose: hope, defiance, beauty, and dignity.”
Brian Eno added: “After a year defined by unimaginable loss, grief and injustice, we want to end with an act of love for Palestine’s children. Lullaby reflects their beauty, their longing and their hope. If we rally together and download it, we have a real shot at landing Christmas No. 1 – and turning that moment into vital life-saving support for Gaza’s families.”
Mabel continued: “The song holds a special place for many reasons, but mostly as it’s the first time I’ve sung with both my mum Neneh and sister Tyson, and for it to be a traditional lullaby in tribute to the mothers and children of Gaza means the world. I hope you feel the strength in our voices.”At the aforementioned OVO Arena Wembley gig in London, the likes of Damon Albarn, PinkPantheress and Jamie xx graced the stage in support of Together For Palestine. The event featured performances and speeches by 69 artists, actors, activists, and cultural figures, and was livestreamed to over 200,000 music fans worldwide, according to its organizers.
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The world’s not all bad. Consider, the holiday season is approaching. A brand new year is coming soon. And De La Soul have a new album out.
Cabin in the Sky is the U.S. hip-hop veterans’ ninth studio album, and their first since the death of David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, who passed away unexpectedly in 2023, and features previously unreleased vocals from the rapper.
On Tuesday night, Nov. 25, De La Soul stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live for a medley of cuts from Cabin in the Sky, the followup to 2016’s And the Anonymous Nobody, which opened and peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.
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Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent “Maseo” Mason were in the house for a bouncing one-two hit of “Run It Back” and “The Package,” the latter complemented by a swinging brass section and visuals inspired by the LP’s heavenly cover art.
Pos and Maseo recently dropped by Billboard’s offices for a photo shoot, an interview and their thoughts on losing their bandmate.
“I’m feeling absolutely beautiful. I’m really happy and proud of this album, proud of all we’ve accomplished,” remarked Pos. “When you get to that finish line and you’ve realized things that you’ve had in your mind are now manifested — and I feel strongly about this album obviously because it’s the first album we’ve done without Dave — but it’s here in the physical and I can say without question [Dave] is here, his spirit, his energy, it’s very much a part of this album.”
Pos continued, “anything that he had placed in certain songs that we chose to use, all of that is felt. In that regard alone, that’s a success. But I really, really feel like De La fans are going to love this album.”
De La Soul will head out on the road next year, including a headline performance Feb. 27, 2026 at Droppin’ Science hip-hop night in Melbourne, Australia and a spot at Hamburg, Germany’s Old But Gold Festival July 26.
Watch the late-night performance in full below.
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Cody Simpson: pop star, elite swimmer, life saver.
The Australian artist and allrounder hopes to make a splash with his latest project, a campaign that encourages Australians to become ocean-safe before they dive in this summer.
Simpson, who earned a Billboard 200 top 10 album with Surfers Paradise, is the face of the Beach Passport PSA, which launched a year ago through Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and the national airline Qantas.
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The beach safety exercise is a complimentary online training resource that, in its first season, organizers say, was completed by more than 37,000 beachgoers.
“Growing up on the Gold Coast, the beach has always been my second home and surf lifesavers are the unsung heroes who keep us all safe,” says Simpson in a statement.
The Beach Passport, he continues, “only takes 15 minutes and will give you the knowledge that could save your life or someone else’s this summer season.”
With over 198,000 members and more than 300 affiliated clubs, according to its latest data, SLSA is said to be the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world.
The not-for-profit was established in 1907, with a mission to keep Aussies safe in the water, a national pastime in these warmer months. Since formation, more than 715,000 people have been rescued by its surf lifesavers.
Simpson has been a dedicated Surf Life Saving volunteer and member of his local surf club, Northcliffe Surf Club, since childhood, and he’s a medalist in a major competitive swimming, having collected gold as part of the Australian men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
He came up short in his bid to qualify for the individual 100m butterfly and freestyle events for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but turned his disappointment into creativity with the publication of his first-ever kid’s book, titled The Sea In Me, and the tease of “exciting projects.” He’s also behind the eco-friendly fashion brand Prince Neptune.
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Elton John has called time on full-scale touring. That hasn’t changed, but he’s still standing, he’s done almost a dozen private shows this year, and he’s cracking on with new music.
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The legendary British pop artist spoke with Variety for a dive into his philanthropy and fundraising efforts for HIV/AIDS, his love of Chappell Roan, his own health problems, and the road ahead.
Creating music, well, he’s not turning his back on it anytime soon.
“But I tell you what,” he insists, “I’m singing better than I’ve ever done before, and I’m playing really well, and I’m enjoying it, and that is helping me a lot.”
Elton’s farewell tour wrapped up in 2023, Almost five years after launching, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road jaunt grossed $939.1 million and sold 6 million tickets according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore.
These days, Elton still puts his hand up for the occasional one-off show, including his recent headlining spot in Singapore for the F1 Grand Prix, and for TV specials, including An Evening With Elton John and Brandi Carlile, produced by Fulwell Entertainment and shot in March at the London Palladium to promote their joint album Who Believes in Angels.
Music has “been my whole life and has given me so much and takes me on journeys that I never thought I would ever go on — and it’s still doing that,” John explains. “I just like doing the odd thing. It pays the rent very well, and it keeps me musical. I just can’t wait to go into the studio now and write some new songs and go from there.”
Elton is battling with vision problems, but he has a workaround — a teleprompter — and his friends from the music community are never far away, with offerings of encouragement, love and support.
“Paul McCartney FaceTimes me to see how I’m doing. It’s really beautiful,” he enthuses. “The love I’ve received from him and from Pete Townshend and Mick Jagger and people like that have been amazing. Or you get an email from Keith Richards saying, ‘Hello, darling, how you doing? You know we love you,’ and that’s it, but it just makes my day.”
A followup to Who Believes in Angels, which went to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart and cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 200, might not be far away.
Elton has “seven new lyrics” from longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. And “they’re really, really good, so I can’t wait to go in the studio with Andrew [Watt, his recent favorite producer] and just write and see what happens.”
It was Elton who presented Taupin with the Musical Excellence Award at the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. John was inducted in the Rock Hall class of 1994.
Who Believes in Angels? debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart dated April 19, marking the 22nd top 10 for John and fourth for Carlile. In his homeland, Angels gave Elton a landmark 10th U.K. chart leader, and a first for Carlile.
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He has danced the Paso Doble, the Jive, the Foxtrot, and he’s an expert at handling deadly wildlife. When the votes were counted, and the results announced Tuesday night (Nov. 25), Robert Irwin added the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy to his growing list of accomplishments.
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At night’s end, Irwin and his dance partner Witney Carson were crowned champions of Dancing With The Stars, completing its 34th season.
Irwin has followed in the footsteps of his late father, the environmentalist and beloved TV star Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin. And with his DWTS win, the 21-year-old Australian follows the journey of his own sister Bindi, who won the competition back in 2015, for season 21.
For the finale, the final five of Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix, Jordan Chiles and Robert Irwin squared off, as the eliminated contestants watched on and joined in on the excitement.
For the very first time, the remaining couples performed three separate new dances, including the judges’ choice, instant dance challenge and freestyle rounds.
In the end, the man from down under came out on top.
The livewire Aussie had looked the goods throughout the season, with his effortless routines which blended agility, strength, poise and a ready smile. However, Irwin sent a fright through his fanbase when, on the eve of the finale, it was revealed that he was struggling with injury, and was dealing with a rib complaint.
Following “11 weeks of crazy, vigorous, hard dancing,” Carson said in a TikTok, “my body is feeling it. Robert’s body is feeling it. We’re, like, kind of falling apart right now. Just trying to keep it together for, like, two more days. Literally today and tomorrow, and then it’s over.”
Irwin’s “ribs have been killing him,” she revealed. He played through pain, and he’s now a DWTS champion, having closely watched, and learned from, his sister’s winning run a decade ago with Derek Hough.
Season 34 of DWTS aired and streamed simultaneously on ABC and Disney+ each Tuesday, with new episodes available to stream the following day on Hulu.
Final results:
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten (5th Place)
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach (4th Place)
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa (3rd Place)
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy (2nd Place)
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson (WINNER)
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When Dom Dolla touches down in Australia, massive things happen.
The EDM star made a whirlwind visit to his homeland last week for the 2025 ARIA Awards, where he collected best dance/electronic release (with “Dreamin” featuring DAYA), his third consecutive win in that category, and global impact recipient award, becoming the first-ever recipient.
At the tail end of 2024, Dom (real name Dominic Matheson) played to 170,000 fans across four shows, the biggest-ever tour by an Australian electronic artist.
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Later this year, another entry for the history books. On Dec. 20, he’ll return to the scene of his ARIAs wins with a show at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, next door to Hordern Pavilion, for what will mark the first time an Australian electronic music artist has played a stadium in these parts.
“Oh man, I’m so excited,” Dom exclusively tells Billboard.com. “We’re really taking the show to the next level. Can’t give away too much, but I’m pumped about how it’s all coming together. The goal is simple – turn a stadium into a nightclub.”
Untitled Group was behind the record-smashing 2024 trek, and the forthcoming open-air spectacle.
Dom has been in the fast lane throughout 2025, during which time he completed residences in Ibiza and Las Vegas; sold-out multiple dates at Madison Square Garden; pumped the party at some of the world’s best-known festivals, and realized a dream with “No Room For a Saint”, his contribution to F1: The Movie.
“There’s no slowing down next year, that’s for sure,” Dom enthuses. The year ahead will include “a few first tours in places like Asia and Latin America which I’m really excited about. And I’ve been writing a ton of new music lately, so I can’t wait to start sharing more of that with everyone soon.”
Next up, a headline spot at 808 Festival in Bangkok, Thailand. Following the Allianz Stadium date, Dom joins Australia’s Beyond The Valley and Wildlands festivals, followed by shows in Japan, Argentina, Colombia, New Zealand, Netherlands and elsewhere.
Might a Dom Dolla artist album emerge from that wealth of new material?
“Right now,” he continues, “I’m just writing as much music as I can. An album might not be right around the corner, but I can promise there’ll be a lot more music next year. I’m really excited about what’s been cooking.”
Trending on Billboard Lainey Wilson logs her ninth top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated Nov. 29, as “Somewhere Over Laredo” rises 11-9. The track pulls 4.1 million official United States streams (up 3%), 24.6 million in radio audience (up 8%) and 1,000 in sales (up 36%) during the Nov. 14-20 tracking week, […]
