State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
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Source: Mark Blinch/@smiley61st / Getty
Drake is back at it again, handing out what fans jokingly call another “stimulus package,” this time to his OVO Sound signee, Smiley.
Their new collaboration, “2 Mazza,” appears on Smiley’s latest project “Don’t Box Me In“. The track marks another co-sign from “The Boy,” continuing the partnership that began in 2021 with their viral hit “Over The Top.” That song had the internet going crazy, not just for Drake’s verse, but for Smiley’s distinct delivery and the now-infamous line, “Prada and Gucci don’t go together.”
But this time, the reception hasn’t been as warm. While Drake’s presence usually guarantees a flood of attention, fans have been more muted, and at times critical, about “2 Mazza.” Some listeners feel the energy is off, and even loyal OVO fans are questioning whether this collab meets the high bar set by their first joint effort. Smiley’s unique cadence continues to split opinion, and though Drake’s verse brings his usual confidence, it hasn’t sparked the same level of excitement as in past features.
Smiley, who signed to Drake’s OVO Sound imprint under Warner Records in 2021, continues to build his presence with Don’t Box Me In, which also features appearances from IceWear Vezzo and fellow OVO affiliate Baka Not Nice. Despite mixed reactions, the project reflects Smiley’s refusal to fit into a conventional mold, hence the title.
Whether “2 Mazza” grows on fans or fades out quietly, it’s clear that Drake is still betting on Smiley. Check out some of the early online reactions to this new collaboration below, and decide for yourself if the OVO duo still has that viral magic.
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06/13/2025
P-Funk, EGOTs, Beach Boys, surprise guests and more.
06/13/2025
While Justin Bieber stays busy recording the long-awaited follow-up to his 2021 Justice album, his backing gorup, We the Band, dropped their debut single on Friday morning (June 13). The Earth, Wind & Fire-esque slow-burn R&B jam “One & Only” showcases the group’s smooth, soulful vocals and retro ’70s funk style. The slick accompanying performance […]
While Jonas Brothers fans await the release of the sibling band’s Greetings From Your Hometown studio album on Aug. 8, they can keep their summer cool with a live LP that dropped on Friday (June 13). Live From the O2 London is a 24-track collection recorded at the iconic London venue last year, featuring such […]
Toby Gad unveiled the music video for “Run (Piano Diaries),” his previously unreleased collaboration with the late Donna Summer, exclusively to Billboard on Friday (June 13).
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The Queen of Disco’s voice shines as she delivers the ballad’s powerful message, singing, “You can sit it out, wait until you see your chance/ Try your luck, you can dare to dance/ Dream away your life and never live your dream/ Or breathe every breath you get and run with it.”
Meanwhile, the music video features Gad accompanying Summer’s vocals on the piano as 13-year-old dancer London! performs an emotional lyrical routine over a montage of archival footage of the late “MacArthur Park” dance floor diva, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 63.
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Gad and Summer originally worked on the song for the disco legend’s final studio album, 2008’s Crayons, which also earned the pair a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with fourth single “Fame (The Game).”
Though “Run” ultimately didn’t make the cut for Crayons‘ final tracklist, Gad is now releasing the ballad as special part of his ongoing Piano Diaries project, reimagining some of the greatest hits in his catalog with new artists.
“Donna was funny, such a warm spirit — we instantly connected,” Gad tells Billboard. “I was a little nervous at first working with such an icon, but unlike Madonna, who enjoyed testing my character for several days before letting me into her world, Donna opened up to me immediately as I showed her my first ideas. She loved to crack jokes and had such an immediate sense of humor. She enjoyed big hugs and on the first day it felt like she had already decided that I was part of her family.”
The songwriter behind hits like John Legend’s “All of Me” and Beyoncé’s “If I Were a Boy” went on to recall, “Donna was not only an amazing singer who was totally in charge of her voice, much like Beyoncé when I worked with her, [she] was also a great songwriter, intuitively finding words that are honest, authentic and have emotion.”
Watch Gad’s emotional music video for “Run (Piano Diaries)” below.
Haim finally released the full tracklist for their upcoming album I Quit on Thursday night (June 12), slowly revealing the 15 song titles in videos on their Instagram stories become compiling the whole thing in a single post (see below). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news While […]
Swifties the world over have been rushing to scream “Take me to Florida” as Taylor Swift and partner Travis Kelce were seen in the southeast for the Stanley Cup Finals. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Turning up for Game 4 on Thursday (June 12), the pair […]
Just weeks after teasing their latest era, Twenty One Pilots have shared both the lead single from their forthcoming album and a run of North American tour dates.
Dubbed “The Contract,” the single is the Ohio group’s first piece of new music since the release of their seventh album, Clancy, in May 2024. The track is so far the only taster of their upcoming record, Breach, which is scheduled for release in September.
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Breach was teased by the band in a social media post in May, indicating that the album’s content would thematically continue the narrative arcs which the band have focused on across the past decade. “Hello Clancy. Hello Blurryface,” they wrote on social media. “Let’s finish this.”
Referencing the titular characters of their 2024 and 2015 LPs Clancy and Blurryface, respectively, the record will ostensibly wrap up the narratives that have also continued across records such as 2018’s Trench and 2021’s Scaled and Icy.
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Though the specific release date of Breach is yet to be announced, the record’s arrival will be paired with a run of North American shows, which launch in Cincinnati in September and will keep the pair on the road until late October.
Much like their latest global trek in support of Clancy, the naming of their upcoming run as The Clancy Tour: Breach seemingly confirms a sense of continuation from their last studio effort, with further specifics expected to arrive in the coming months.
Listen to “The Contract” below:
Twenty One Pilots – The Clancy Tour: Breach 2025
Sept. 18 – TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OHSept. 20 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ONSept. 23 – American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WISept. 24 – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, ILSept. 27 – Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PASept. 28 – The Pavilion at Star Lake, Burgettstown, PASept. 30 – XFINITY Theatre, Hartford, CTOct. 1 – Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, MEOct. 4 – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NYOct. 5 – Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VAOct. 7 – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VAOct. 8 – PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NCOct. 10 – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FLOct. 11 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FLOct. 14 – The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach, ALOct. 15 – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, GAOct. 17 – Coca-Cola Amphitheater, Birmingham, ALOct. 19 – Walmart AMP, Rogers, AROct. 20 – Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas, TXOct. 23 – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CAOct. 25 – BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Love at first sight can be a dangerous thing. j-hope is back to heat up the summer with his lust-filled “Killin’ It Girl” single, which finds the BTS member joining forces with Memphis’ own GloRilla on Friday (June 13). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news j-hope delivers […]
Billie Joe Armstrong has paid tribute to Brian Wilson by sharing a cover of the Beach Boys‘ 1964 classic “I Get Around.” The Green Day guitarist and vocalist shared his rendition of the song on Instagram on Wednesday (June 12), hours after the news of Wilson’s passing broke. “Thank you Brian Wilson,” Armstrong wrote. “I […]
