State Champ Radio Author: djfrosty
Page: 387
Bunnie XO is kissing off haters who are criticizing how she shows affection for Jelly Roll on red carpets.
In a recent clip from her Dumb Blonde podcast, the social media star clapped back after trolls accused her of faking her feelings for her husband, citing the fact that they shared only a very brief peck in front of photographers at the Academy of Country Music Awards earlier in May, rather than exchanging a full-blown kiss. “They’re like, ‘She’s not really with him, that was a fake kiss, this is fake love,’” Bunnie began, quoting some of the recent comments she’s seen.
The content creator went on to explain, “When you are on a red carpet, you literally have 300 cameras pointing at you at one moment.”
“If I lingered on his lips longer than 10 seconds, you guys would be like, ‘She’s still a wh–e. Get a room, this is disgusting,’” Bunnie continued. “I have lipgloss on, I have an entire face [of makeup]. My husband has to continue taking pictures after that kiss. Does he want freaking lip liner and gloss all over his face? No.”
Trending on Billboard
The podcaster also said that photographers on red carpets will often specifically ask her and the “Need a Favor” singer to smooch, something she says isn’t asked of “any other couple.” “I don’t mind kissing my husband, but I’m not going to f–king lock lips with him,” Bunnie said. “Same thing on stage, people had a problem with how I was kissing him on stage.”
“First it was I was kissing him too much. Then it was, ‘Oh, she doesn’t like him, she doesn’t even want to kiss him,’” she added. “As the brand has grown, we’re in front of children. We’re in front of families.”
In addition to walking the carpet with Bunnie, Jelly also performed with Shaboozey at the ACM Awards on May 8. The “Son of a Sinner” musician was nominated for three awards that night — entertainer of the year and album of the year, which both went to Lainey Wilson, as well as male artist of the year, which went to Chris Stapleton.
Bunnie has been Jelly’s go-to plus-one at award shows throughout his music career, but their romance dates back to long before he was ever famous. The two stars first met in 2015 before tying the knot the next year, and in recent months, they’ve both been open about wanting to expand their family through IVF. The pair also shares full custody of Jelly’s 17-year-old daughter from a past relationship, Bailee; the country star is also Dad to 8-year-old Noah from a different past relationship.
“We’re right in the middle of the journey,” Jelly told Access Hollywood at the ACMs of his and Bunnie’s IVF experience. “For all of our friends out there who have been supporting and praying for us that know the journey we are on, y’all know how hard it is. Thanks for praying for us. We’re still trying.”
Watch Bunnie clap back at the kiss haters below.
As Dierks Bentley gears up to release his upcoming 11th studio album, Broken Branches (out June 13), and his 30-city Broken Branches Tour launching this week, he is also giving back to the creative and touring communities — including songwriters, musicians and touring crews — that keep artists and their music in front of fans.
Bentley has established the Broken Branches Fund, with a multiyear financial commitment to offer mental health resources to the creative and touring communities. The fund will be administered in partnership with Music Health Alliance and will give mental health grants to qualified candidates and their families. The funds will cover outpatient counseling and plans for follow-up care. Music fans can also donate to the fund throughout Bentley’s summer tour stops and through MHA’s online donation site.
Trending on Billboard
“Making this album and prepping for the tour, I’ve never been more aware of the sacrifice that the people in this town make every day to keep country music playing,” Bentley said in a statement. “Whether you’re sitting in a room all day trying to write the perfect hook or leaving home on a bus for weeks at a time, it can be isolating and exhausting. This just felt like the right opportunity to make a bigger commitment on my part to supporting those folks and their families in a more direct and intentional way.” “Dierks was one of the first artists to believe in and support Music Health Alliance, and from day one, he’s led with both heart and action,” Tatum Allsep, founder and CEO of Music Health Alliance, said in a statement. “Creating the Broken Branches Fund at MHA to support music’s mental health shows his deep commitment to the people who power our industry both on stage and off, and to their well-being for many years to come.”
Music Health Alliance launched in 2013 and offers advocacy and access to healthcare and mental health resources for music professionals and their families, with MHA’s services bing free to those who have earned a living in the music industry for more than three years. According to the MHA, more than 32,000 music community members across the United States have been aided through mental health resources, lifesaving transplants, health insurance and emergent dental care, saving more than $145 million in healthcare costs.
The new Bentley-launched fund continues the partnership work Music Health Alliance has been engaged in through various areas of the industry. Earlier this year, Music Health Alliance expanded its partnership with Universal Music Group to launch the Music Industry Mental Health Fund, to offer “comprehensive, high-quality outpatient mental health resources for music industry professionals across the United States.”
Bentley’s Broken Branches album will continue his dedication to collaborating with and spotlighting many of Nashville’s top tunesmiths, musicians and artists. He teams with Stephen Wilson Jr. on the song “Cold Beer Can,” while Riley Green and Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson join him on the album’s title track, and Miranda Lambert appears on “Never You.” Luke Dick, Kyle Sturrock, Jeremy Bussey, Jordan Reynolds, Jim Beavers, Connie Harrington and Lauren McLamb are a few of the writers whose work is highlighted on the album.
Morgan Wallen’s 37-song collection I’m the Problem blasts in atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (dated May 31), as well as the all-genre Billboard 200. The set (which contains one more track than on his previous LP, 2023’s One Thing at a Time) grants the singer-songwriter from Sneedville, Tenn., his fourth and third leader, respectively.
In its first week (May 16-22), I’m the Problem earned 493,000 equivalent album units in the United States, according to Luminate — the biggest week by that metric of 2025.
Trending on Billboard
I’m the Problem (on Big Loud/Mercury/Republic) sold 133,000, marking Wallen’s best career sales week, inclusive of a personal-best vinyl sales frame of 48,000. The set’s sales were helped by its availability on vinyl across five variants. (One Thing at a Time wasn’t released on vinyl until its fourth week on sale.)
On the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart, Wallen boasts 37 tracks — the entirety of I’m the Problem — as he breaks his own record for the largest one-week share of the survey, surpassing the 35 that he logged on the March 18, 2023, chart when One Thing at a Time debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums and the Billboard 200.
“What I Want,” featuring pop star Tate McRae, Wallen’s first collaboration with a female artist, rockets in atop Hot Country Songs, marking his 11th chart-topper and record-extending eighth No. 1 arrival.
As for the 21-year-old McRae from Calgary, Alberta, she scores her first Hot Country Songs No. 1 with her rookie entry in the genre. “What I Want” launches with 31.2 million official U.S. streams, 3.9 million airplay audience impressions and 2,000 sold. As previously reported, the collaboration roars in at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
With five debuts in the Hot County Songs top 10, I’m the Problem has generated 13 top 10s (including three leaders), the most top 10s ever from a single album. Wallen infuses the entire top 10 on the May 31 chart, also a first, besting the nine that he logged on March 18, 2023.
Below “What I Want” (which is being promoted to pop and adult radio), “Just in Case,” Wallen’s current single at country radio, hops 3-2 on Hot Country Songs, rebounding to its best rank. The rest of his top 10 monopoly: “I’m the Problem” (2-3, following a week at No. 1 in February); “I Got Better” (No. 4, debut); “Superman” (No. 5, where it flew in a week earlier); “Love Somebody” (6-6, after a week at No. 1 last November); “I Ain’t Coming Back,” featuring Post Malone (8-7, after hitting No. 3); “20 Cigarettes” (No. 8, debut); “Kick Myself” (No. 9, debut); and “Eyes Are Closed” (No. 10, debut).
Wallen ups his career top 10 total on Hot Country Songs to 40. Dating to his first week in the tier, on the chart dated May 12, 2018, with “Up Down” (featuring Florida Georgia Line), his 40 top 10s are almost twice the amount of runner-up Luke Combs (21 in that span).
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Ever wonder what your favorite K-Pop boy groups use to bump to their favorite music?
Enhypen just revealed their earbuds of choice are Samsung Galaxy’s Buds 3 Pro in “Silver.” The K-Pop act sat down for an interview with Samsung Galaxy, alongside their producer Armadillo, to share what sound means to them, highlighting their latest earbud obsession.
The video posted to YouTube shows each member popping in the earbuds, playing various instruments or listening to music while backstage. Jay, the main rapper of the group, shared his thoughts on the product, saying, “For me, the sound is inspiration. Because I now take part in producing music, I find myself listening to more genres of music than ever before. The sound of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro seems to out the colors of each genre very well.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
ENGENE you’re in luck. If you want to listen to music like Enhypen does, their Samsung pick is currently available on Amazon for 24% off. Without further ado, here’s how to shop the K-Pop boy band-beloved tech at an affordable price.
Trending on Billboard
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
$189.99
$249.99
24% off
Wireless bluetooth earbuds in a silver case.
These aren’t your ordinary earbuds. Currently retailing for $189.99, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro creates an immersive listening experience all packaged in a portable sleek silver case. These buds deliver a high-resolution experience with crystal clear sound that you’re ears have been craving. Touch controls allow for ease of control so you can pause and replay your favorite tunes intuitively. Battery life on this bad boy lasts up to six hours.
One of the buds key features is the ultra-innovative adaptive active noise cancellation with Galaxy AI² that automatically adapts to your surroundings so you can tune in and out of the world around you with ease. Additionally, these futuristic buds use Galaxy AI to translate during face-to-face conversations using a real-time interpreter. Pretty snazzy.
What’s even more impressive is the Amazon-exclusive two-year limited Samsung warranty that comes with these buds, meaning if the product is lost or damaged, you’ll be in good hands. The pill-shaped case acts as a charging station for your headphones and comes in an alternative white hue if silver isn’t your thing.
See Enhypen’s interview with Samsung below.
Source: George Pimentel / Getty
It’s no secret that Drake needs a win (bad), as the past year has been tough on the Canadian rap crooner’s career thanks to a certified Boogeyman who resides out in Los Angeles.
Though the embattled artist has been keeping a somewhat low profile as of late as he regroups and plans his next moves, Drake did make some noise this past weekend when he announced that OVO Fest would be returning after a hiatus for the last few years and that Central Cee will indeed be taking part in the upcoming festivities. Popping up at Central Cee’s concert in Toronto this past weekend, Drizzy informed the crowd that OVO Fest will be making a comeback this summer, telling his adoring home crowd “OVO Fest back this year,” and letting Central Cee know “So we’ll need you there for that, but you already know what it is.”
Though Drizzy has yet to make an official announcement, it seems like he’s ready to get back in the spotlight this summer and is planning on recruiting some of his Hip-Hop peers to get it popping at his next OVO Fest.
With the last OVO Fest having taken place in 2022 (when Drake was on top of the world) and including the likes of Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Nelly Furtado, it will be interesting to see who Drake can get to pull up to his upcoming festivities as some artists are still wary of being associated with the “0 To 100” rapper due to the hate that he’s still getting from many in the culture thanks to his beef with Kendrick Lamar.
Still, we’re sure he’ll have enough pull with certain artists (such as Central Cee apparently) that should OVO Fest 2025 actually happen, it will be quite the spectacle for music fans to enjoy and bring some much needed positive vibes to the King of the North, who’s been scowling on his throne for quite some time now.
What do y’all think about Drake bringing back OVO Fest this summer? Who would you like to see pop up at the event? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Marleen Moise / Getty
Rapper Joey Bada$$ and his fiancee Serayah are embarking on a new chapter of life together after announcing that they’re expecting a boy. The pair opened up about their relationship in the latest issue of ESSENCE, which features them on their cover. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9hC3lNfeg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
“There’s a lot of transitional things happening in our lives, and it’s very, very symbolic at this point in time right now,” the Raising Kanan and Mr. Robot actor said in the interview, remarking that he and Serayah are at the “beginning of a new chapter,” as they enter their 30s.For the singer and model, she first revealed that she was pregnant as she walked the runway for AdoreMe during New York Fashion Week in February of this year. “The stars just aligned. We didn’t coordinate or plan anything out,” she said to ESSENCE, continuing: “I disclosed to them that I was, I think at the time, around five or six months pregnant. When they said that they were fine with it, I was like, ‘Okay, well maybe this is the opportunity, and this will be the moment.”Joey Bada$$ also shared how prior to meeting Serayah, he was comfortable being polyamorous. “That was where I was at in my life at the time,” he said. “I was very much living a lifestyle of a bachelor and it just aligned with what I was doing. But I met Ray, I bought a home, and it just changed my perspective. It definitely shifted, and the dynamic that I wanted changed. So I’m very much monogamous now, and I don’t discourage or disagree with anybody going after polyamory or whatever if that’s what you want to do. But this is where I’m at now and this is where I feel secure.”
The Pro Era rapper already has a daughter from a previous relationship, who he said was reluctant about having a sibling at first. “I think she’s like, ‘I got to share my daddy now?’ But I already know she’s going to come around,” he added. “She’s going to be super hands-on.”The interview’s publication comes at a principal time for Joey Bada$$, as he’s currently engrossed in a torrid rap battle with MCs repping the West Coast in Ray Vaughn, Daylyt and AZ Chike. He’s also confirmed that there will be a new album on the way, with an expected release date of Aug. 30.
HipHopWired Featured Video
At the turn of the century, it was Allen Iverson who served as the bridge between hip-hop and basketball while also boasting a massive amount of pop culture influence. Part of the influence came after he retired, when the Philadelphia 76ers icon inspired Post Malone’s breakout hit “White Iverson” in 2015. A decade later, Posty […]
Nicki Minaj‘s last album arrived with her Pink Friday 2 to close out 2023, and she’s laid low for much of 2025 so far on the music side. Gracing the cover of Vogue Italia on Tuesday (May 27), Minaj opened up about the creative process heading into her next LP.
While the Queens legend has a collection of songs she’s proud of, Minaj is in no rush to release her next body of work until the time is right and aligns with her life.
Trending on Billboard
“I’ve got a bunch of really strong tracks, but I don’t want to rush,” she explained. “I want the record to mean something, both for the fans and for me. I’ll never be one of those people who puts out songs just to put them out. I love music. I respect it.”
When that time does come, she plans on hitting the road once again. “To experience it all again, as soon as possible. For me, and for the Barbz,” she added. The Pink Friday 2 World Tour earned Minaj the honor of having the highest grossing rap tour for a woman.
Elsewhere in the interview, Minaj revealed that she actually initially hated how she looked in the viral “Did I Lie” video, which was born from a CRWN interview in 2018 surrounding the rollout of Queen with Elliott Wilson.
“I hate how I look in that video,” she said. “When people started using it I thought, ‘I’m blocking you all!’ Then I gave in — it’s actually pretty funny.”
Minaj hasn’t made many public appearances this year, but she did pop out at the 2025 Met Gala earlier in May, as the Young Money rapper stunned in a Thom Browne navy pinstripe mermaid dress. “It reminded me of putting on your Sunday’s best and being iconic in your own world,” she told Entertainment Tonight of her attire.
Pink Friday 2 arrived with much fanfare in December 2023. The project debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 228,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Dec. 14, according to Luminate. That figure is the largest week for a rap album by a woman in the 2020s.
See Nicki’s Vogue Italia cover below:
Source: Getty Images / Bernard “Beanz” Smalls / Kid Cudi / Diddy
The legal team for Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, is seeking to have Kid Cudi’s explosive testimony dismissed.
It’s no secret that the Diddy saga is a pure circus that not even Netflix or HBO could have dreamed of in terms of shenanigans following his arrest on racketeering and federal sex trafficking.
One of the more eyebrow-raising claims is that Kid Cudi’s Porsche was torched because of his relationship with Diddy’s ex, Cassie Ventura. Lawyers for Diddy are asking the judge to dismiss Mr. Rager’s testimony on the grounds of CAP, strictly based on his unconfirmed claim that the disgraced mogul lied about his involvement.
During his testimony in Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial last week, Cudi spoke about meeting Diddy at Soho House after his car was set ablaze.
Cudi’s testimony provided the public with one of the more memorable statements when he hilariously said that Diddy was “standing there like a Marvel supervillain.” Still, Diddy’s team of lawyers believes the focus should be on discussion when Cudi was asked if he believed Diddy when the Bad Boy general said he didn’t know anything about Cudi’s whip being torched.
After Judge Arun Subramanian overruled an objection from Combs’ lawyer Brian Steel, Cudi went on to say that Diddy was “lying.”
As part of their argument to have Cudi’s testimony thrown out, Comb’s legal team argues that Cudi’s claims qualify as an opinion and should be stricken from testimony because it is in reference to the “Day ‘n’ Nite” crafter’s firebombed vehicle and could sway the jury’s opinion.
Ye & Young Thug Were Not Fans of Kid Cudi Testifying
Speaking of opinions, there are those within the Hip-Hop community who are not happy that Cudi testified against Combs.
Taking time off from being an antisemtic douchebag, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, Ye, expressed disappointment in Cudi.
“I wish Cudi hadn’t testified against Puff,” the problematic producer/rapper wrote on his X, formerly Twitter account, per HipHopDX.
West continued, “We need to not be locked in white systems. Praying for Puff and his family.”
Ummm, ok.
Young Thug also demonstrated why those in the Hip-Hop community continue to hold flawed logic regarding “snitching.” The rapper, who recently returned home from a lengthy prison stint, wrote on X, “Dam Cudi a rat lol.”
SMH.
Trust and believe if someone blows up our car and we knew who did it, we would be on the stand testifying too.
Just saying.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Ridiculous
3. Exactly
4. Make it, make sense
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
300 Entertainment co-founder Kevin Liles has denied sexual assault allegations made by rapper Lady Luck (born Shanell Jones). Liles released a statement on Tuesday (May 27) claiming the former Def Jam artist engaged in a $30 million extortion plot against him earlier this month. According to Liles, Jones and her legal team threatened to release […]
