State Champ Radio Culture
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When Shamir first broke into music in 2015, the artist made a deal with himself: “Once I feel like I’ve done and said everything that I felt like I wanted to do and say, then I will call it,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to be an artist who was doing this just because it’s their job.”
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One decade and 10 studio albums later, Shamir is making good on that promise. Ten, the mercurial multi-hyphenate’s excellent, indie rock-infused new album (out now via Kill Rock Stars) is his last one, too. Over the course of 10 songs, Shamir tackles big and small questions — the existential struggle with aging on album-closer “29” feels right at home with the simpler understanding of love lost on “I Know We Can’t Be Friends” — before closing out this chapter of his professional life.
As he tells it, the decision to walk away from music was easy, at least in part because he had already experienced the closest thing he’s had to a break between his projects. Since putting out Ratchet in 2015, Shamir has released new albums at almost a yearly pace, occasionally dropping two full LPs in a single calendar year. But after the release of his 2023 project Homo Anxietatem, the singer says he found himself in need of some time off.
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“I was producing with a friend, and we were just, like, throwing the ideas around. And all of a sudden I realized I didn’t have any plans to make an album. I didn’t even really have, like, songs or anything,” he says. “But I was like, ‘I want to work with you just because we’re friends.’ That didn’t end up working out with that person, but the idea of working with friends really stuck with me.”
It was a different mode of operation for Shamir. Since getting dropped by XL Recordings over creative differences shortly after the release of Ratchet, he’s largely self-written and self-released his own projects, occasionally teaming up with other indie labels to help bring his LPs to life.
That changed when the artist found a new home at Kill Rock Stars. Since signing with the label in 2023, prior to the release of Homo Anxietatem, Shamir says he no longer felt burdened by the expectations of doing everything himself. “To have that space and have that backing from the label gave me a little bit more clarity,” he explains. “Ending this chapter of my career felt like it came from a place of peace instead of frustration, which I love.”
Where other artists might use a final album to say all the things they’ve ever wanted to say in their music, Shamir didn’t have to do the same — he’d already shared his deepest thoughts through albums like Heterosexuality and Hope. Instead, he decided to draw his conclusions about working with friends to their eventual conclusion.
Every song on Ten, for the first time in Shamir’s career, are entirely written and produced by others. Whether he was asking his closests friends to let him sing a song they wrote or combing through those same friends’ unreleased demos to find songs he could perform, Shamir ended up with 10 tracks, written by and for others, now being interpreted through his own distinct artistic lens.
“I have so many incredible friends who aren’t necessarily songwriters by trade, yet are just incredible songwriters,” he explains. “I didn’t want them to write ‘a Shamir song,’ you know what I mean? I wanted demos and vault tracks tracks, and to metabolize those and bring them into my world and make them my own.”
A key example of the selection process, Shamir says, is the album’s opening track “I Love My Friends.” Back in 2021, Shamir received an email from his close friend Andrew Harmon, with the song’s title as a subject line and nothing but an MP3 in the body. Enclosed was the song, written by Harmon exclusively as a dedicated thank you to his close-knit circle for helping him deal with the death of his father.
“I remember listening to it, and by the end I was just in tears,” Shamir says of the song. “A dedication like that, unprompted and as a thank you — as opposed to just sending a thank you card or something like that — was just so beautiful to me.”
Another standout from the album, the heartbreaking “I Don’t Know What You Want From Me,” was written by Torres, who Shamir “wasn’t even particularly close with.” But when he presented them with the idea backstage at a music festival, they immediately said they wanted to send him a track. “[Torres] was literally on tour, and still sent me three demos,” he says. “That one was definitely the most shocking, just in terms of their enthusiasm for the idea.”
It’s for that reason that Ten plays out as a love letter rather than a farewell, where Shamir thanks the people who buoyed him in a turbulent career for a decade. It’s also why Shamir decided to release the album on May 19 — the one year anniversary of his debut album Ratchet.
“It was just like an extra kind kismet thing that I was able to add on to the triple entendre of it all,” he says. “It’s so rare when that happens, so when it does happen, it just feels so much like confirmation.”
As it turns out, having said everything he wanted to say in his career is just one of the reasons Shamir made the decision to call it quits after Ten. Part of the reason he relied so much on the support of his friends was simply because the music industry is a hard place to thrive, especially as a Black queer artist wanting to do something different.
Shamir qualifies that with the simple fact that “we made a lot of strides with queer people in pop music.” But after a certain point, the singer saw a pattern emerge, and it was one that he had no interest in adding to. “As a Black queer person, it’s not only hard to assimilate, but we are rewarded when we assimilate. We have to play the game to for survival,” he says. “In a lot of ways, I have suffered because I refuse to assimilate — but it was worth it for me.”
Sure, there are drawbacks that came with that: “I was not able to reach a certain level of mainstream success,” Shamir relents. But broad recognition isn’t the metric by which he chooses to measure himself. “Whenever anyone looks back on my career in five, 10, 15, 20 years from now, they’re going to be like, ‘Oh, but he never compromised,’” he says. “And I never will.”
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Hot Girl Summer is right around the corner, and Megan Thee Stallion and Walmart are helping you get ready.
The “Otaku Hot Girl” rapper recently launched her very own swimwear line, aptly called Hot Girl Summer, and it’s available exclusively at Walmart. This is a special occasion, given that Megan is the first hip-hop artist to launch her own swimwear brand. What a trailblazer. The musician-approved collection will get you beach-ready in seconds with colorful pieces like bikinis, one-pieces and swimsuit cover-ups retailing for just $16 to $28.
Affordable and just plain cute, Megan spoke about the collection in an interview with Who What Wear, saying, “I want people to feel confident in it and like they had a little piece of me wherever they go this summer.” The new cover saw the performer clad in one of her swimwear creations in silver.
Dipped in Gold One-Piece
A gold once-piece swimsuit with a mock neckline and cut-out.
It turns out all that glitters is really gold. Metallic, to be exact. For those willing to go bold when hitting the pool or beach, the Dipped in Gold one-piece is for you. Equipped with a mock neckline, cut-out detailing on the tummy and a glitzy metallic sheen, this suit leans retro like something out of a James Bond film. The back also includes a large oval-shaped cut-out that bumps up the drama factor. The style is ultra-cheeky too, giving it that flirty quality that screams Megan.
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Chicas Fringe Bikini Top
A pink and orange ombre fringe bikini top in a halter style.
Fringy and fun, Megan’s Chicas Fringe bikini top reminds us a lot of a sunset over the sea. Equipped with an angular halter neckline and shoulder straps, this top will ensure that your girls aren’t going anywhere. The style also features textural fringe, hence the name, laid across the cups, offering textural interest.This style’s orange and pink ombre colorway screams summer, and the matching bottoms do too.
Each bikini style comes with a corresponding bottom, however, all of the pieces in this collection can be mixed and matched per your preference. We can envision this top with a cream-colored crochet cover-up and a frozen margarita in hand, toes in the sand.
Cheeky Shortie Bottoms
Cheeky black ruched bikini bottoms in a micro-short style.
It’s time to start embracing your curves, ala the “Mamushi” rapper. These bikini bottoms certainly fit the bill, given they’re extremely cheeky. The Cheeky Shortie bottoms sit low on the hips, mimicking the look of a micro short.
The style is also ruched, creating textural interest that’s hard to beat. What’s nice about these is that they can easily be worn with every bikini top in this collection. They’re versatile enough to balance out the more colorful styles Megan dreamt up. These could also look great with a black bikini top if you’re going for a more subdued, monochrome moment.
Hot Girl Summer Mini Skirt Coverup
A bathing suit cover-up in hot pink with sequin appliques.
Ever wanted a bathing suit cover-up with personality? The “Cry Baby” rapper has got you covered. Retailing for $18.00, Hot Girl Summer mini skirt coverup is vibrant and playful, emulating Megan’s personal style to a tee.
The style is made of a hot pink mesh fabric adorned with iridescent pink sequins that move as you move. The side of the skirt features pink bow closures. We recommend wearing this coverup over vibrant swimwear in complimenting shades of pink, purple or aqua, along with platform flip-flops to give major Barbie vibes.
Hot Girl Summer Swim Tee
A pink cropped bathing suit top inspired by a cropped t-shirt with rhinestone.
The Hot Girl Summer swim tee is all things Y2K, all wrapped up into an itty-bitty bikini top. Megan threw it back to the 2000s with this one, crafting the style in a hot pink hue. The front of the top reads “Hot Girl Summer” in rhinestones, a nod to the bedazzled butts of sweatsuits worn by the likes of Paris Hilton. The cropped silhouette is a daring one, likely best worn with neutral black bottoms. If you’re willing to go for a maximalist moment, the bikini top could be worn with coordinating hot pink bottoms, high-waisted or otherwise. Your next pool party is calling.
JIN covered a lot of ground during his appearance on The Tonight Show Wednesday (May 21), from opening up about BTS‘ upcoming reunion to trying out his skills as a late-night host and chatting about … butts.
During one of the more serious moments from his interview with host Jimmy Fallon, the K-pop star reflected on his feelings about bandmates RM, Suga, V, Jimin and Jung Kook approaching the end of their respective military enlistments in South Korea, after which ARMY is expecting the guys to resume full-band activities as early as June. JIN completed his service in June 2024, while J-Hope finished in October.
“It was great to be alone,” said JIN, who released two solo EPs, Happy and Echo, during the band’s time apart. “But when they come back, since they worked very hard, I’m going to honor them and give them great respect.”
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“They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation and take care of them,” he added of his bandmates as fans in the audience went “Awwww.”
The remaining band members will be discharged in June, allowing all seven of the Bangtan Boys free to regroup for the first time since JIN enlisted in December 2022. BTS hasn’t released a proper studio album since 2020’s Be, which topped the Billboard 200.
Elsewhere in his conversation with the Saturday Night Live alum, JIN talked about his love for Tom Cruise, working on new EP Echo and gearing up to embark on his upcoming solo tour. One of the silliest moments, however, came as the performer switched places with Fallon, testing out his hosting capabilities behind the famous Tonight Show desk. “Thank you for coming to my show!” JIN quipped as Fallon laughed. “I am a superstar.”
JIN went on to pose a very important question to his “guest.” “Do you think we have one butt or two?” he asked a perplexed Fallon, who eventually answered that humans have just one butt.
“One? No!” the “Running Wild” singer hilariously replied, standing up from his seat before gesturing to his own tush in demonstration. “It’s left leg and right leg, and left, right — two!”
Also on the show, JIN performed “Don’t Say You Love Me,” transforming the show’s stage into a giant bed. In conversation with Fallon, he revealed that the track is about the tough feeling of knowing you need to break up with someone, but not having the heart to do it.
Watch JIN’s full Tonight Show interview above.
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. Tired of the regular ol’ vodka-smelling hand sanitizer? Disney and Touchland have you covered. The two brands have teamed up for […]
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. Since 2023, Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Yachty has partnered with sports apparel company Nike on a line of signature sneakers. And now, […]
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Lil Durk is currently embroiled in a legal battle, facing accusations of intimidating witnesses in a murder-for-hire case set to go to trial later this year.
Prosecutors allege that Durk was not only responsible for financing the crime but also for orchestrating and directing it. The charges stem from the murder of Savaiy’a Robinson, the cousin of rapper Rondo, which Durk is said to have been involved in planning. U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli has firmly rejected Durk’s attempt to have the case dismissed, arguing that the rapper’s defense fails to provide valid reasons for such a motion.
In a recent court filing, Essayli pointed out that the prosecution’s case is focused on the actions Durk allegedly took regarding the murder plot, not on his music or lyrics. He further emphasized that witnesses in the case and their families have already been subjected to threats, adding to the gravity of the situation.
Durk’s legal team, on the other hand, has pushed back against these claims. They argue that the lyrics used as evidence were recorded long before the murder took place, suggesting that the prosecution is relying on irrelevant material. In a statement, Durk’s family condemned the legal process, accusing the government of presenting false evidence to the grand jury in an attempt to frame him. With the trial approaching, the controversy surrounding the case continues to grow, putting Durk’s fate in serious jeopardy.
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Great news: You can now shop Forever 21 pieces on Amazon.
As part of Amazon’s new “Haul” section, the initiative allows you to easily cop trendy and affordable items. With summer right around the corner, this’ll give you a good excuse to re-up your wardrobe with picks straight from the “Haul” section that will have you turning heads all season long. We’re talking flirty tube tops, printed wrap skirts, lace-trimmed dresses and cargo pants all priced at less than $30. Here are some of our favorite Forever 21 styles to shop right now on Amazon.
Bow Cropped Tube Top
A black ruched tube top with bow accents in a pastel pink.
Retailing for $19.59, the Bow Cropped tube top is a flirty dream come to life. Featuring a textural ruched finish, tiny bow adornments and pastel pink trim, we can see this piece being a great addition to any night-out look.
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From steamy dates to dancing at the club, this top is dainty and flirty, especially when worn with a coordinating black miniskirt, as pictured above. Or take it full feminine with pink and dainty bloomers. With this top, you can easily capitalize on the ever-popular ballet-core trend at an affordable price.
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Forever 21 Women’s Lace-Trim Minidress Pink
$10.01
$13.74
27% off
A pink dress with white lace trim and long sleeves.
Forever 21’s Lace-Trim minidress is the perfect look for your next date night. Book plans, because you’ll wanna be seen in this one. Affordable and extremely cute, this dress features a rosy pink hue and a sweetheart neckline trimmed with white lace and a mini bow that takes the look to the next level.
The long sleeves keep the wearer warm, while the length — or lack thereof — is risqué enough to turn heads. We can envision this minidress worn with nude slingback heels and a sleek little shoulder bag, giving model-off-duty vibes. For $10.01, how could you pass this up? It’s a no-brainer.
Gingham Wrap Skort
$17.31
$19.99
13% off
A miniskirt in red and black gingham and a bow accent.
Gingham is a tricky pattern for some, but hear us out. This Forever 21 wrap skirt is too good to pass up, especially given the price. The red and black color scheme is striking, while the bow accent at the hip adds a playful element, breaking up the loud pattern. We recommend wearing this piece with neutrals, maybe something black to mirror the black in the skirt. A cropped sweater or black lace cami could work. If you want to go for a more maximalist look, pick something gingham for a pattern-on-pattern moment.
Faux Leather Wide-Leg Cargo Pants
$19.53
$24.93
22% off
Red cargo pants with wide legs and pockets.
This faux-leather moment would be great for cocktails with the girls. This little number features a baggy fit and a glossy finish, thanks to the faux leather construction. Cargos are a staple for many, and for good reason. The ample pocket room is a major plus, allowing you to go without a purse if you wish. We’re also kind of obsessed with this burgundy-almost-brick colorway. Styled with a crisp white bodysuit and nude mules or a bow-adorned blouse and flirty kitten heels, you’ll be dinner-ready in no time.
Sheer Striped Lace Shrug Sweater
A black shrug with sheer lace sleeves.
Forever 21’s Sheer Striped Lace shrug is giving ballerina vibes in the best way possible. Retailing for $16.42, this piece is a standout because of a few key details. The sheer construction offers a peekaboo effect, making for an excellent layering piece, while the subtle striped pattern creates visual interest.
Additionally, the lettuce hem is dainty and whimsical, giving those aforementioned ballerina vibes. The black colorway is extremely versatile, too. Styling this piece with a flowy and flared wrap skirt will make you look like a seasoned dancer, sans the ballet flats. Any sleeveless or strapless piece, like a tube top, would also pair nicely, highlighting the crop of the shrug without overshadowing the clothing beneath.
Varsity Letterman Bomber Jacket
A tan and white cropped varsity jacket.
There’s really nothing better than a varsity jacket. I wasn’t ever the sporty type, so I often wore this style of outerwear for less practical fashion purposes. Timeless and classic, Forever 21’s Letterman style is cropped and modernized, equipped with black and white lettering and white accents.
Trading in the usual snap-button closures, this piece features a zip-up closure in gold that transitions into a sleek collared neckline. When styling, we recommend going for a full sporty feel, paired with white baggy jeans and colorful sneakers. Or if you’re feeling less sporty, turn up the heat with a black leather skirt and white tee combo.
Fitted Tee Bodysuit
A white bodysuit mirroring the silhouette if a t-shirt.
It’s a cozy T-shirt mixed with a flattering bodysuit. Giving you the best of both worlds, this Forever 21 Fitted Tee bodysuit features a plunging neckline and short sleeves that mirror the look of a tee. This piece is form-fitting and flattering, pairing well with some of your favorite denim pieces, much like the classic look of jeans and a white T-shirt.
No matter the color, bodysuits are versatile, wearing well with just about every silhouette. They’re meant to be supporting pieces that make the key pieces in your outfit look better. You could wear this style with a slew of bottoms, including athletic shorts or a crotchet maxiskirt. If you can think it up, you’ll likely be able to wear this bodysuit with it.
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As Elon Musk says he will be spending a “lot less” money on politics, that action is now drowned out by the revelation of how toxic he’s become all around. This came to light in a segment on “CNN News Central” on Wednesday (May 21) where analyst Harry Enten detailed how far the tech billionaire who headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team that slashed thousands of federal jobs has fallen.
“How unpopular is he?” Enten said, utilizing a flatscreen showing the data. “How low can you go? Oh, my – okay, take a look here: Elon Musk’s net favorability rating, look at this shift back in 2017, before he really started this politics thing. He was at plus-24 points. Look at where he is now: Whoa, he fell through the floor, minus-19 points. Among Democrats, the fall was even more dramatic. We’re talking about going from plus-35 points on net favorability rating. That is quite a popular guy among Democrats, but get this – now down to minus-91 points. You can’t really go lower than that. I guess you could go down to minus-100 points, but he became political kryptonite.”Enten highlighted how Musk’s efforts with DOGE led to many Americans truly disliking him, with those who identify as Democrats being the most expressive, noting his attempts to influence the Wisconsin Supreme Court election race held earlier this year. But his comparison of Tesla, which Musk co-founded, to General Motors in terms of favorability really showed the height of disdain Musk has earned. “We’re going to compare General Motors and Tesla,” Enten began. “General Motors, quite well-liked by the American people, plus-23 points on net favorability rating. But look at Tesla, minus-20 points. So this idea that Tesla could somehow separate itself from Elon Musk, the American people saw the exact same way, and, of course, Tesla is a business.”“It turns out that Elon Musk’s political kryptonite was also becoming kryptonite for selling cars,” Enten added. As an ally to President Donald Trump, Musk has been heavily targeted by activists since Trump’s administration took office with protests here and abroad. And it has rattled the mogul, who issued a threat to those who he claimed threatened him personally during a virtual interview with Bloomberg’s Qatar Economic Forum. “We’re coming for you,” he said, pointing to the camera.Check out the CNN segment above.
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With a brand new 10-year streaming deal with Netflix now well underway, the higher-ups over at WWE know they have to keep the company and brand as relevant and popular as ever and are reportedly looking to expand their reach and are making moves to ensure that the WWE remain at the top of the wrestling world for the foreseeable future.
According to Newsweek, the WWE are looking into recruiting new wrestling talent from around the world as they look to reel in new fans from different countries and cultures in an effort to get the WWE brand to be as popular and relevant as ever. It’s getting to the point where WWE officials are looking into kicking off an NXT Europe brand by the end of 2025 to attract European wrestlers into the fold before ultimately integrating them into the majors i.e. WWE’s main roster.
Per Newsweek:
This potential new branch in Europe would follow several of WWE’s recent attempts to attract more international wrestlers. These activities include the special UK Tryouts that WWE held while on its European tour in March 2025, which gathered many hopefuls.
From those tryouts, it has been reported that WWE found several wrestlers they are very interested in signing. Among these talents are Spanish wrestler Zozaya, Aigle Blanc from France, and Mike D. Vecchio, who represents Italy, along with other promising athletes who made an impression.
WWE’s concept of NXT Europe is not a brand-new idea, as it builds on previous international efforts. For a while, the company has discussed creating a new training and development center based in the European region to nurture local talent.
We’re sure there’s popular European wrestlers licking their chops at the chance to make that jump to the timeless WWE brand at some point and showing Americans exactly what they’re made of across the pond.
What do y’all think about WWE’s plan to recruit worldwide talent to the WWE brand? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Rod Wave was arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, on May 20, 2025, facing a slew of serious charges tied to an incident from a month earlier.
The 26-year-old rapper, born Rodarius Marcell Green, was booked on 14 counts, including Aggravated Assault, Reckless Conduct, Pointing a Gun at Someone, and Tampering with Evidence. He was released the same day on a $50,000 bond. According to a police report, the trouble began on April 21, when Rod returned to his Atlanta-area home after it had been burglarized.
The Florida rapper showed up with realtors and a few associates to check on things, but things quickly went south. A heated argument broke out with one of his associates while they were moving items out of the house. That’s when Rod allegedly pulled out a Glock 20 and fired 14 shots, with 11 of those rounds hitting the associate’s 2025 Mercedes G-Wagon.
When the cops showed up, Rod reportedly tried to cover up his tracks by cleaning up shell casings and even attempted to leave the scene to avoid getting caught. On top of that, his actions allegedly violated an active bond from a previous battery charge dating back to October 2020. Rod’s legal team, Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg, quickly shot back with a statement to TMZ, saying, “Rod Green was a victim of a burglary and committed no crimes. It’s beyond us how these charges were even brought.”
This isn’t Rod Wave’s first brush with the law. He was arrested in 2022 on charges of strangulation and battery, but those were dropped. In 2024, he was also arrested for possession of a firearm, which his attorneys said was a mistake. Despite the latest charges, his legal team is confident the case will be cleared up in his favor.
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