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Billboard Women in Music 2025 takes place Saturday, March 29, and Billboard’s staff is breaking down each of the honorees’ successes that earned them their awards, from JENNIE receiving the Global Force Award to Doechii being named Woman of the Year, to Gracie Abrams being honored as Songwriter of the Year, and more! Who are […]
The Breakfast Club co-hosts Jess Hilarious and Loren LoRosa addressed their recent drama in the best way possible — by joking about it. Earlier today, they posted a parody music video of Monica & Brandy‘s hit song “The Boy is Mine” and called it, “The Job is Mine.” And while they can’t sing as good […]
Ariana Grande dropped ‘Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead’ deluxe accompanied with a heartfelt short film, and Selena Gomez released an album with fiance Benny Blanco, ‘I Said I Love You First.’ Keep watching for the breakdown of their newest releases! What’re your thoughts on ‘Brighter Days Ahead’ & ‘I Said I Love You First?’ Let […]
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Source: Carol Lee Rose / Getty / Marvin Sapp
One of Marvin Sapp’s sermons has set social media ablaze and has begun a dialogue about the Black church.
A video of Marvin Sapp’s “holy hustling” for Jesus has gone viral on X, formerly Twitter. In the clip, which Sapp admits is over a year old, the popular pastor asks his congregation to help him reach a goal of $40,000.
In one part of the clip, Sapp asks the ushers to close the door to keep the congregation from leaving.
“We all gon’ leave together,” Sapp said. “Y’all ain’t going no place but to the restaurant.”
Sapp further explained that if the 1,000 people in the pews and the 1,000 people watching online gave $20, which he called a “small seed,” it would add up to $40,000.
“I’m challenging each of you all down here to give a $20 seed,” Sapp told his flock.
He jokingly added that $20 would cover a movie date, popcorn, and drink when his wife, MaLinda P. Sapp, was still alive.
Sapp then asked his clergy members to give $100 while the congregation dug in their wallets and purses looking for a $20. “It costs to sit up here,” Sapp said.
While the mass donations continued, Sapp hushed the crowd and said, “Giving is worship.”
“This ain’t a time to talk,” Sapp said as he continued encouraging worshippers in the building and viewers online to keep the donations coming, describing them as “an easy miracle.”
Marvin Sapp Issues A Statement On The Clip
Word about Sapp’s video going viral definitely reached the pastor, who posted a lengthy statement on Facebook. He explained that the clip was a year old, added that he “gave much more,” and pointed out that the clip was shared out of context.
Per Sapp’s Facebook post:
Recently, a clip has gone viral of me challenging 2,000 individuals(virtually and in person) to plant a seed of $20 during an international gathering held at a convention center, with over 4,000 people in attendance that evening plus virtual viewers. In that same moment, I also challenged leadership to lead by example by sowing $100. That evening, I personally gave much more.
Some have taken issue with a particular moment when I instructed the ushers, rather firmly, to close the doors during the offering. To those unfamiliar with the church context or who may not regularly attend worship gatherings this has been misinterpreted as holding people hostage as well as offensive. That was never my intent.
The truth is, when finances are being received in any worship gathering, it is one of the most vulnerable and exposed times for both the finance and security teams. Movement during this sacred exchange can be distracting and, at times, even risky. My directive was not about control it was about creating a safe, focused, and reverent environment for those choosing to give, and for those handling the resources.
Unfortunately, in this social media age, snippets are easily shared without context, and assumptions are quickly made without understanding the full picture. Conferences have budgets. Churches have budgets. And people have budgets. As the assigned ministerial gift for this international gathering, one of my responsibilities was to help raise the conference budget. That’s not manipulation, it’s stewardship.
Social Media Has Plenty of Thoughts On The Clip
Regardless, those on X, formerly Twitter, did not feel the moment in the clip and used it to post their hesitations about the Black Church.
“Marvin Sapp is clearly HUSTLING his congregation for 40k— and using God’s name to do it. he’s calling for the doors to be locked? that’s not faith, that’s a shakedown and a false prophet. someone had a bill to pay, and it wasn’t to the church,” one post on X read.
Another user added, “Some churches ARE cults. Would’ve had to beat Marvin Sapp’s big ass and hide the bible if God watching.”
Lol, well damn.
Sapp might be right about clips being taken out of context, but he can’t ignore people’s legitimate beef regarding churches and how they ask for money. That video was cringe-worthy; we’re just saying.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: R1 Digital / R1
GloRilla & Friends, Offset, Bossman Dlow and More Announced as First Wave of Birthday Bash ATL Artists
[Atlanta, GA–March 28, 2025] Atlanta’s premier Hip Hop station, HOT107.9, announced the first wave of artists for the most highly anticipated music event of the summer, Birthday Bash ATL2025, June 21st at State Farm Arena.
Grammy-nominated musician and award-winning hip-hop artist GloRilla will headline Birthday Bash ATL 2025. GloRilla has been savoring the success of her summer takeover, considering her three hit songs – “TGIF,” “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be” (featuring Megan Thee Stallion). Each song spent time on the Top-40 of the Billboard Hot 100. At one point, all three songs charted simultaneously in the Top 40, resulting in GloRilla becoming the first female hip-hop artist to achieve the feat in 2024.
Earlier this year, she released her latest mixtape, “Ehhthang Ehhthang”, which generated over 550 million streams in the U.S. to date. “Yeah Glo!” subsequently evolved into a massive hit, emerging as the longest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit of Glorilla’s career and serving as her third career No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, after “F.N.F.” and “Tomorrow 2.”
Birthday Bash ATL 2025 also welcomes Offset, Bossman Dlow, Kash Doll, Real Boston Richie, Big Boogie and AMG Twinz to the preeminent concert of the summer. As anticipation grows, additional Birthday Bash ATL artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Birthday Bash ATL 2025 tickets are on sale now at www.Ticketmaster.com. For up-to-date information, visit www.BirthdayBashATL.com or www.HotSpotATL.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Hot1079ATL, and of course, listen to WHTA HOT 107.9-FM.
Birthday Bash ATL 2025 EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, June 21, 2025 at State Farm Arena
Gates Open: 6:00pm – Showtime: 7:00pm – 11:00pm
ABOUT URBAN ONE, INC.
UrbanOne, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, www.urban1.com], together with its subsidiaries, is the largest diversified media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers in the United States. Urban One is the parent company of Radio One, Reach Media, Inc. (blackamericaweb.com), TVOne (tvone.tv), CLEOTV (mycleo.tv), iOneDigital (ionedigital.com) and OneSolution. Formerly known as Radio One, Inc., the company was founded in 1980 with a single radio station and now owns and/or operates 60 broadcast stations (including HD and low-power television stations) in 14 urban markets in the United States, making it one of the nation’s largest radio broadcasting companies. The Company’s growth led to diversification into syndicated radio programming, cable television and online digital media. As a result, in 2017, Radio One, Inc. was renamed Urban One, Inc. to better reflect the Company’s multi-media operations. While the Company was renamed Urban One, Radio One remains the brand of the radio division and all of its radio assets. Through Reach Media, Inc., the Company operates nationally syndicated radio programming, including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Russ Parr Morning Show, and the DL Hughley Show.TV One is a national cable television network serving more than 59 million households, offering a broad range of original programming, classic series, and movies designed to entertain, inform, and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. Launched in January 2019, CLEO TV, is a lifestyle and entertainment cable television network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. iOne Digital is a collection of digital platforms providing the African American community with social, news and entertainment content across numerous branded websites, including Cassius, Bossip, HipHopWired, and MadameNoire branded websites. One Solution provides award-winning, fully integrated advertising solutions across the entire Urban One multi-media platform. Through its national, multi-media operations, the Company and One Solution provides advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to African American and urban audiences. Finally, Urban One owns a minority interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
ABOUT STATE FARM ARENA
Home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the award-winning State Farm Arena is a next-generation sports and live entertainment venue focused on experience, sustainability, and service. Inspired by the city, State Farm Arena showcases the core values of the organization: inclusiveness, authenticity, and innovation. From the first ever in-arena barbershop with the Killer Mike SWAG Shop to the Hawk Bar on the court behind the basket to the concourse to the Topgolf Swing Suites, State Farm Arena is True to Atlanta. Community and sustainability are at the core as the arena hosts the largest annual food distribution event with the Million Meal Pack and the arena was also the first venue in the world to earn TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Platinum certification for zero waste. State Farm Arena was recently named Best Venue by Front Office Sports, a leading multi-platform media and news organization, and consistently ranks among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world from industry-leading publications Pollstar and Billboard. Accessible to every fan with a MARTA station adjacent, the downtown Atlanta arena hosts approximately 175 events and close to 2 million guests annually and stakes its claim as the city’s best sports and live entertainment venue. For more information on State Farm Arena, visit StateFarmArena.com or follow on X @StateFarmArena and Instagram @StateFarmArena.
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State Farm Arena PR | StateFarm.ArenaPR@hawks.com Max Strauss | max.strauss@hawks.com
Anthony White | Anthony.White@hawks.com
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GloRilla & Friends Lead 1st Wave Of Birthday Bash 2025 Performers
was originally published on
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Alessia Cara was set to kick off her 2025 tour next month in support of her recent album, Love & Hyperbole. However, the pop star took to social media on Friday (March 28) to reveal that the U.S. leg of the tour has been postponed.
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“I cried about it then patched it up with ice cream. I’m so so so sorry, my US friends 💔 I’ll make it up to you, I promise!!!! thank you. I love you,” she wrote in the caption to the statement, in which she shared that “there are truly so many factors that lead to this (reluctant) decision, all of which were genuinely and completely out of my control.”
She continued, “Touring, especially today, is challenging and involves to many little moving parts. Bottom line is we couldn’t make it all work on time. Disappointing you guys is killing me, because everything I’ve put into this has been for you and I know how excited you’ve been, but I can only hope you understand.”
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The “Scars to Your Beautiful” singer noted that the rest of the tour, which will take place across Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe, will go on as planned. “As soon as I have new information on the new US dates, I will let you know,” she wrote, adding that original tickets will be honored on the new dates.
“I love you so much,” the Grammy winner concluded her statement. “I can’t apologize enough and I’ll make it up to you. See you soon.”
Cara’s Love & Hyperbole arrived on Valentine’s Day and featured singles “Dead Man,” “Slow Motion,” and “Obvious.”
See the full list of tour dates here, and see Cara’s full statement below.
Sauce Walka has said that he doesn’t plan on avenging his artist’s Sayso P’s recent murder in Memphis. The Houston rapper sat down with Wikid Films to talk about the unfortunate situation he found himself in last weekend (Mar. 22), and while he feels like his people have his back, he doesn’t want to retaliate. […]
Grupo Firme is set to kick off La Última Peda Tour on April 11 in Mexicali, following the cancellation of a performance in Mazatlán after a message on a banner with alleged death threats attributed to a drug cartel appeared in Tijuana. And the trek will proceed with reinforced security.
“People can come with confidence and have a good time,” Eduin Caz, the band’s frontman, said during a press conference Thursday afternoon at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, where the second show of the tour is scheduled for April 12. “We have strengthened security for this tour in Mexico. The shows of Grupo Firme are meant to be enjoyed, and that’s how it will be.”
After a three-year absence from Mexico, La Última Peda Tour will take Grupo Firme to 23 stadiums across the country, including their eighth performance at Estadio GNP Seguros (formerly Foro Sol) on June 28. The tour will also mark their return to palenques, a more intimate type of show that allows for greater interaction with the audience.
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“We need to relive that closeness with people that only these types of venues can provide,” said Jhonny Cazares, the group’s third voice. “Great artists we admire, like Alfredo Olivas and Julión Álvarez, do them. These [venues] are smaller, but they’re no less important. Plus, they’re part of our culture.”
Meanwhile, the state government and the Baja California Prosecutor’s Office are continuing their investigation into the threats against the band. The cancellation of the March 1 concert, which was part of the Mazatlán Carnival, was a result of the discovery of an alleged narcomanta and a human head in a box Feb. 25 in Tijuana — a fact confirmed to Billboard Español by the Baja California State Prosecutor’s Office. So far, four arrests have been made in the case, Excelsior TV reported citing the prosecutor’s office.
“We are grateful for the support of the authorities, who have been attentive from the very beginning,” Caz added. “We can’t share more details so as not to hinder the investigation.”
Coming up, Grupo Firme will be releasing a new album in May. In an interview with Billboard Español, the singer shared some details about the project, which was helmed by renowned songwriter and producer Joss Favela along with Abraham Luna, the group’s second voice and producer.
“The musical arrangements are different,” revealed Caz. “We’ve incorporated piano, electric guitar, and saxophone with banda and norteño. Our musical roots remain the same. The lyrics are in my style, mostly about heartbreak — those are the ones that come most naturally to me.”
He continued: “We recorded 17 songs but will keep only 12; they’re all very good. I don’t want any of them to go unnoticed or not get the attention they deserve.”
He also shared that it took them about a year to select and record the songs, with Caz contributing as a songwriter alongside Horacio Palencia, Nathan Galante, and Joss Favela — the same creator of “El Beneficio de la Duda,” which led Grupo Firme to spend two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart in mid-2024.
As for a potential collaboration with Don Omar — who recently expressed in press conference in Mexico City his desire to record with the band — Caz said: “There’s a great friendship. We haven’t been able to align schedules, first due to health issues for both of us. The song has already been chosen; it’s just a matter of timing. It would be amazing to make it happen.”
Rapper Yella Beezy was released on bond Friday morning (March 28). According to The Dallas Morning News, Beezy (born Markies Conway) posted a $750,000 bond to secure his release after being reduced by a judge from $2 million on Thursday. After being indicted by a Dallas County grand jury on March 18, Beezy was arrested […]
DDG is in the midst of his 24/7, weeklong Hit-A-Thon livestream, where he streams the process of creating his new album. We got to sit down in the middle of his stream to talk to him about why he decided to create an album during streaming, his top Billboard-charting songs, his eagerness for Blueface to be released, co-parenting Halo with Halle Bailey and more!
Are you watching DDG’s Hit-A-Thon? Let us know in the comments!
Tetris Kelly:
Yo, Billboard News hanging out with DDG, so bro, I’ve interviewed you like, I think this may be the third time, but nothing like this. So you gotta tell me, when did you decide you were gonna stream for seven days, man?
DDG:
I think I planned this probably, like, three weeks ago.
Oh, dang, not even that long ago.
Yeah, I know.
You said, I want to do this.
Yeah, I just been going every day, so I’m like, 36-37 days in a row.
That is wild, and how did your team feel about it?
Great. This is going amazing, actually. This is going much better than I actually thought. I thought it was gonna be, like, just something cool, but this is, like, my biggest project ever.
And I mean, it’s got to feel good, but at the same time, I know it can’t be just like easy to be 24/7 on the stream. So has it at any point yet, has it felt like this is overwhelming?
Nah, I ain’t gonna lie, it’s cool because, well, I got, like, my family and friends that pull up just to help entertain the audience, so it’s not too many dead moments. And that’s, that’s that’s what a lot of people scared of when they do like, 24/7 streaming, because it can be like moments where it’s like, super dead and you don’t know what to do, and you just don’t know how to entertain them. You run out of things to do. But since I got a lot of people here pulling up every day, it makes it easier for me to, like, you know, jump back and forth. Plus, I got a pool, basketball court and-
Stuff to do.
Keep watching for more!