State Champ Radio Culture
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Cordae just stepped up to the NPR Tiny Desk stage, and this one hit different.
The Maryland rapper, reppin’ the whole DMV, performed right in his own backyard, and you could feel the hometown energy. He wasn’t shy about it either, shouting out his roots during the set: “This is a hometown show for me, so I’m expecting a biased amount of love from y’all!” And, of course, the crowd showed out, giving him that extra boost. The setlist was straight fire, showcasing Cordae’s growth as an artist while keeping it real with his fans.
He performed tracks like “Saturday Mornings,” “06 Dreamin’,” “C Carter,” “Have Mercy,” “Nothing’s Promised,” and “RNP,” giving us a mix of deep, thoughtful bars and high-energy bangers. Each song had the crowd vibing, and you could tell Cordae was feeding off that hometown love. Performing at NPR’s Tiny Desk is already a big moment for any artist, but for Cordae, it was something special.
You could see how much it meant to him to bring his talent to his hometown crowd. The energy was unmatched, and it was a full-circle moment for the rapper showing that no matter how far he goes, he’s always gonna rep where he’s from. The DMV was definitely in the building, and Cordae made sure the world knew it.
Check out the full performance below:
Just a few months after the Arcane League of Legends Season 2 soundtrack debuted and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Soundtracks chart, the musical world of Arcane is once again expanding thanks to a brand-new music video from Belgian superstar Stromae and acclaimed French musician Pomme.
Animated and produced by Fortiche Production, the new music video serves as the visual accompaniment to “Ma Meilleure Ennemie,” a winning duet that became both artists’ first Billboard Hot 100 entry late last year. The video combines live-action rendering and express animation, bolstering the work of Arcane‘s season 2 executive music producer Alex Seaver, who co-produced the new clip. Tom Gouill, who won the 2025 Annie Award for best character animation — tv/media, directed the music video.
Always bringing it back to the source material, the “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” music video builds on the notable dance sequence between fan-favorite characters Jinx and Ekko that occurs in the seventh episode of the second season. That experience significantly impacts Ekko later in the season, spurring him to help Jinx and further explore their connection.
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“My first reaction when I saw the scene was, frankly, I found it quite poetic,” Stromae said in a video to fans. “I understood the vision that the directors and all the animators had of the series. They clearly knew what they wanted. … I thought the music and everything worked well together, especially since it’s a pretty crucial moment.”
To combine fiction and real life, Fortiche Productions incorporated subtle references to both Stromae’s and Pomme’s visual identities. The music video also includes nods to album artwork from both artists: at 0:40, the team animated a shot re-creating Pomme’s À peu près album cover, and at 0:31 they referenced Stromae’s Multitude album cover. Interestingly, the Pomme nod also doubles as a reference to the music video for Imagine Dragons‘ JID-assisted “Enemy,” where a firefly emerges from Powder’s mouth. “Enemy” served as the lead single from the first Arcane soundtrack and reached the top five on the Hot 100.
In April, Riot Games and Virgin Music Group will team up for a deluxe version of the Arcane League of Legends Season 2 soundtrack, adding to a roster that already includes heavyweights such as Stray Kids, Twenty One Pilots and Sheryl Lee Ralph. The extended version of the album proves that, although Arcane ends with season 2, the series’ impact lives on across mediums.
“Even to this day, it’s a song that continues to exist in people’s lives, and I think what happened is really magical … I actually understood the people’s reaction and enthusiasm because there was a kind of beauty, romanticism, and sweetness that is actually quite rare in the series,” said Pomme. “There was something special about that episode.”
Watch the official “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” music video below.
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Source: @ayria.jpg / @ayria.jpgLotto Savage, a real one from the Atlanta scene and close homie of 21 Savage, tragically passed away on March 19th, 2025.
The news hit hard when DJ Kutthroat, his manager and DJ, confirmed it with an emotional post on Instagram: “Dam Lotto #RIPLottoSavage.” The entire Atlanta hip-hop community froze, with fans and artists showing love and pouring one out for the G Block legend.
21 Savage, devastated by the loss, posted photos of them together on his Instagram story, showing just how deep their bond was. He finished it with a photo of another Slaughter Gang member, Tayman, and a caption that hit hard: “How y’all die the same day,” with broken heart emojis all over. You could feel the pain in his words.
Right now, there’s no word on what exactly happened to Lotto Savage, so fans are left waiting for more details. Lotto was a staple in the ATL rap game and made a name for himself. His passing leaves a huge hole in the scene, and it’s clear from all the tributes that he was loved and respected by many. As the story unfolds, the city feels the weight of this loss. The whole Slaughter Gang crew is mourning, and 21 Savage’s grief shows just how deep that friendship ran.
More updates are expected soon as we await more details on what went down.
Long Live Lotto Savage. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family & friends.
Billboard returned to Austin for THE STAGE at SXSW from March 13 to 15, 2025. Each night brought together fans of Country, Latin and EDM to the Moody Amphitheater. Heavy-hitters in each genre made every evening unforgettable. This year, headliners included Koe Wetzel, Grupo Frontera and John Summit. Artists were gifted Azzaro Parfums’ new Forever […]
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With hits like “Spookshow Baby,” “Living Dead Girl” and “Dragula,” Rob Zombie is a very accomplished hard rock and metal singer-songwriter, as well as a horror film director. While he’s known for his music and movies, he’s also an author with a new, believe it or not, children’s book — which is, as of this writing, No. 1 on Amazon’s new release horror books list.
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On sale for $34.47 (reg. $39.99) on Amazon, a nearly 15% savings, Z Is For Zombie: Learning To Spell With House of 1,000 Corpses Friends is a spelling book to help children learn how to spell words and phrases.
However, the characters from Rob Zombie’s horror film — House of 1,000 Corpses, including Captain Spaulding, Baby Firefly, Otis Driftwood, Professors, Doctors, Rob Zombie himself and others — are the teachers in this classroom.
And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order now and Z Is For Zombie will be delivered to your home in less than two days once it’s released, thanks to Prime Delivery.
Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Photos; fast free shipping in less than two days with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market; access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and much more. Learn more about Amazon Prime and its benefits here.
Rob Zombie
‘Z Is For Zombie: Learning To Spell With House of 1,000 Corpses Friends’
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During his career, Rob Zombie, born Robert Bartleh Cummings, has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including best metal performance and best hard rock performance.
Available right now, Z Is For Zombie: Learning To Spell With House of 1,000 Corpses Friends is on sale for $34.47 (reg. $39.99) on Amazon.
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Source: @sabapivot / @sabapivotSaba and No ID’s collaboration on “From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID” brings together an intriguing blend of sharp lyricism and top-tier production.
From the intro to the outro, this album flows smooth like butter. No ID’s left field beats really bring out the best in Saba’s introspective bars. Let’s break down some of the standout moments and thoughts on the project:
The opener, “Every Painting Has a Price,” feels like a forgotten gem from Kanye’s Late Registration era. It’s a track that invokes nostalgia with a feel-good vibe, and BJ The Chicago Kid absolutely kills the hook, setting the tone for a project that’s both soulful and reflective. It’s the kind of song that makes you nod your head while taking in Saba’s layered bars. In “Breakdown,” Saba has a conversation with a woman, questioning what he needs her for. The production here is smooth and rich, really driving the narrative home. The track feels personal and thoughtful, with Saba’s introspection shining through as he breaks down his emotions and experiences.
“Crash” features Kelly Rowland, but despite her powerful vocals, the track doesn’t leave a lasting impact. It feels forgettable compared to other moments on the album, not quite matching the energy or depth of the rest of the project. “Woes of the World” presents a simple but powerful message about the emotional toll of global struggles. The hook here is decent but doesn’t hit as hard as the verses, where Saba dives into the pain of seeing the world’s troubles. It’s the kind of track that resonates, even though the chorus could’ve been stronger.
“Stop Playing With Me” is a short interlude that doesn’t do much to stand out but serves as a smooth transition into “West Bound Pt.4,” which has one of the best moments on the album. The way the two tracks flow into each other is impeccable, and Saba delivers a hard-hitting verse: “If you see someone always winning, he’s not gambling, he’s cheating.” This line alone shows how Saba’s confidence and introspection are on full display here.
Overall, “From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID” is an album that showcases Saba’s growth as an artist while highlighting No ID’s unmatched production. It’s a well-rounded project that blends introspective lyricism with powerful beats, even if there are a few moments that don’t leave quite the same impact. Check out the ratings for each song and the overall score below.
1. Every Painting Has a Price – 8/10
2. Breakdown – 7.5/10
3. Crash – 5/10
4. Woes Of The World – 7.5/10
5. Stop Playing With Me – 5/10
6. West Bound Pt.4 – 8/10
7. head.rap – 8.5/10
8. Acts 1.5 – 7/10
9. Reciprocity – 6.5/10
10. Stomping – 6.5/10
11. Big Picture – 7.5/10
12. 30secchop – 6.5/10
13. How to Impress God – 7/10
14. She Called It – 5/10
15. a FEW songs – 6/10
16. “From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID” Overall Rating – 6.5/10
Source:@sabapivot
After publicly hard-launching her romantic relationship, Lucy Dacus is taking a moment to acknowledge her recent friendship with pop star Chappell Roan.
In a new interview with People, Dacus revealed that she and the “Pink Pony Club” singer have become friends over the course of the last year, saying that she is “really cherishing” her “new friendship” with the pop phenom.
Pointing to a recent example of that new rapport, Dacus said that Roan was there to support her when she was having a rough time recently. “I had kind of a bad week a couple of weeks back, where putting out music just feels worse, and it made me wonder if I should just skip to the part of my life where I live off the land and have a job that isn’t my name,” she said. “And [Chappell] was just like, ‘No, what you make is important and makes a lot of people feel less lonely.’”
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That relationship has proven to be a two-way street. When Roan was feeling overwhelmed with her sudden, meteoric rise to international recognition last year, the singer told Rolling Stone that Dacus and her Boygenius bandmates Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker were there to talk her through the experience of sudden fame, and how bad fan interactions can often feel “abusive and violent.”
Dacus recalled that same instance in her new interview, explaining that all three members of her rock supergroup know what it’s like to go from cult following to sudden, headline-making success. “When she was feeling spread really thin, all of us in Boygenius were encouraging her and telling her that it’ll die down,” she said. “It is just a really spinny trip when everybody has something to say about you.”
The news comes during a big week for Dacus. Along with continuing to promote her fourth studio album, Forever Is a Feeling (out March 28), the “Talk” singer also confirmed that she is in a relationship with Boygenius bandmate Baker in an interview with The New Yorker. “I want to protect what is precious in my life, but also to be honest, and make art that’s true,” Dacus said of her decision to open up about her relationship. “I think maybe a part of it is just trusting that [my relationship]’s not at risk.”
Roan, meanwhile, is fresh off the release of her country anthem “The Giver.” In a conversation on Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly, Roan said that her jump to the country genre was simply born out of a funny idea rather than a new direction for her music as a whole. “I’m not trying to convince a country crowd that they should listen to my music by baiting them with a country song,” she said. “I just think a lesbian country song is really funny, so I wrote that.”
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Lil Durk just shook up the rap game, announcing his new album “Deep Thoughts” dropping March 28th.
This marks Smurk’s first project in over three years, following his 2022 album “7220”, which gave fans bangers like “AHHH HA,” “What Happened to Virgil,” and “Petty Too.” The streets been waiting, and now Durk is finally back.
Unfortunately, A LOT has happened since his last drop. Durk got caught up in some heavy legal drama after being hit with Murder for Hire charges. Word is, he and his team were tied to the 2022 killing of Quando Rondo’s cousin allegedly in retaliation for King Von’s death. Von. “T Roy” aka King Von who was signed to Durk’s OTF label, was shot and killed in 2020 by Quando’s homie, Lul Timm. Ever since, there’s been tension in the streets, and Durk found himself in the middle of it all.
Despite the drama, Smurk ain’t lost a step. He’s one of the realest voices in the game, and “Deep Thoughts” is expected to be his most personal project yet. Fans are ready for that pain music, those street anthems, and the real-life stories only Durkio can tell. After everything he’s been through, this album might just be his biggest moment yet. Many of his female fans are asking for an “India Part 4” which would continue the series of Durk loving on his lady. Which many have made it the soundtrack to their love lives.
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After making its premiere radio broadcast in 1925, Grand Ole Opry radio show and music venue has become a country music institution over the last 100 years.
And now, to celebrate the 100th anniversary, a new live TV special called Opry 100: A Live Celebration airs on NBC. It features performances by Amy Grant, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, The War and Treaty, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Brad Paisley and many others.
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When Does ‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’ Start?
Opry 100: A Live Celebration airs starting on Wednesday (March 19) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The TV special broadcasts on NBC and livestreams on Peacock.
Where to Watch ‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’ for Free
Cord-cutters have a few ways to watch Opry 100: A Live Celebration online, especially if you want to watch for free. Fubo and Hulu + Live TV both have free trials, so you can watch NBC for free.
Keep reading for more details on how to watch the TV special with Peacock, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and other streamers.
How to Watch ‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’ With Peacock
The TV special airs on NBC and streams the following day on Peacock for Premium or Premium Plus subscribers only. If you don’t subscribe to the streaming service, you can get access with a Peacock monthly subscription, which starts at $7.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, or $13.99 per month for the ad-free plan.
Along with Opry 100: A Live Celebration, you’ll get access to original programming, such as Love Island USA, Bel-Air, The Traitors and others; hit movies, including The Wild Robot, Monkey Man, Abigail, The Holdovers, Oppenheimer and others; live sports from NBC Sports; live news from NBC News; and more than 50 streaming channels.
How to Watch ‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’ With Fubo
To watch Opry 100: A Live Celebration on NBC, Fubo starts at $54.99 for the first month, $84.99 per month afterwards (the streamer’s current deal) with nearly 230 channel — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers.
The service even gets you live access to local broadcast networks including Fox, CBS and ABC, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as ESPN, Bravo, CMT, ID, TV Land, VH1, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, FX, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network and much more.
How to Watch ‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’ With Hulu + Live TV
Opry 100: A Live Celebration on NBC is available to watch with Hulu + Live TV too. Prices for the cable alternative start at $82.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one bundle. It also features many other networks, including ABC, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC, Fox Sports and more.
How to Watch ‘Opry 100: A Live Celebration’ With DirecTV Stream
A subscription to DirecTV Stream — which comes with NBC for Opry 100: A Live Celebration — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $74.99 per month.
You can watch local networks such as CBS, ABC, Fox and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including FS1, Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
Opry 100: A Live Celebration is available to watch on NBC via Fubo or Hulu + Live TV, on Wednesday (March 19) with a start time of 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The TV special is streamable on Peacock.
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