State Champ Radio Music News
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DDG is feeling the pressures of fame as he and his former partner Halle Bailey find themselves in the middle of a custody battle. The rapper and streamer took to X on Thursday to vent his frustrations and compared himself to the King of Pop, writing: “Now I know how Michael Jackson felt being famous.. […]
Contemporary Christian Music group Newsboys responded to recent allegations of sexual assault and drug use against former lead singer Michael Tait, who abruptly stepped away from the group in January.
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On Wednesday, The Roys Report published what it referred to as a two-and-a-half-year investigation into allegations against Tait. The outlet claims it spoke with more than 50 sources, including three people who claim that Tait groomed and sexually assaulted them while touring or at Tait’s home. The accusers allege that the incidents took place between 2004 and 2014. Multiple people in the report also claimed that Tait was involved in drug use.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, the group’s four current members — Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips and Adam Agee — responded to the allegations, writing, “Last night our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait. While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated by even the implications.
“First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories,” the band’s message continued. “If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault. The four of us are husbands and fathers. Between the four of us, we have fourteen children. Our wives and children have made many sacrifices while we have dedicated our lives to playing music together that glorifies God. We are horrified, heartbroken and angry at this report and in many ways, we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the past fifteen years.”
Tait has not released a public response to the allegations contained in the report, and Billboard has not yet successfully reached him or a representative. A Newsboys rep did not respond to comment beyond the band’s statement.
Tait stepped down from his role in Newsboys in January just days before the group launched the second leg of their Worldwide Revival Nights Tour. At the time, Tait issued a statement, saying, “I have made for me what is a monumental and heartfelt decision that it is time to step down from Newsboys. This decision does not come lightly and has been a shock to even myself, but amidst prayer and fasting, I have clarity that this is the right decision.” He joined Newsboys as their lead singer in 2009 following the exit of Peter Furler.
Tait is also known for his founding role in the groundbreaking CCM group DC Talk from 1988-2001. That group, which also included TobyMac and Kevin Max, had such hits as “Jesus Freak,” “What If I Stumble?” and the Billboard Hot 100 hit “Between You and Me.” Their 1995 album Jesus Freak, with its pop and hip-hop fusions, reached No. 16 on the all-genre Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for best rock gospel album. In 2000, the band went on hiatus, and Tait launched a decadelong solo career before joining Newsboys.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Weather forecasts can be fun. Meteorologist Adam Krueger has become known as Weather Adam for his shrewd ability to incorporate song lyrics into his energetic weather reports. On Friday (June 6), Weather Adam took it back to 2013 while paying homage to Eminem and flipping “Rap God” into his weekend forecast for Los Angeles. “It’s […]
JoJo Siwa wasn’t looking to find love on Celebrity Big Brother UK, but she did. And now that she and co-star Chris Hughes are officially dating, the dancer is opening up about how she realized he was the one for her.
Speaking to Gyles Brandreth on an episode of his Rosebud podcast posted Thursday, Siwa began by saying that “serendipity is Christopher and I’s favorite word now,” because “if you read the definition of it, it’s essentially finding love when you’re least looking for it.”
The Dance Moms alum went on to explain how her romance with the Love Island alum — the first few weeks of which played out in front of countless viewers as they both starred on the reality program’s 24th season — is the model of serendipity. “We just kind of bonded right away, and it started very much so as friends,” she explained, noting that the first things she noticed about her now-boyfriend was that he smelled good and was a “good hugger.”
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“I wasn’t looking to fall for him, he wasn’t looking to fall for me,” she continued. “We’re having so much fun together, we’re having a laugh together. Whenever one of us was down, it was the other one that helped.”
Siwa and Hughes’ relationship is arguably the most memorable part of this Big Brother season, even though the couple didn’t get together until after it was over. While she was on the show, the “Karma” singer was dating Kath Ebbs, but they parted ways at the TV show’s wrap party.
On the podcast, Siwa appeared to touch on the breakup, telling Brandreth, “I had all these realizations in my life, things that I wasn’t happy [with], and things that I was being OK with that I should never have been OK with.
“I’m not happy, so I need to handle things, and I did very quickly once I got out of the house,” she added. “Over a little bit of time, I realized that I started to feel something for Christopher that I never intended to, but I couldn’t not feel. And I’m a very, very lucky girl because he was feeling the same thing.”
The interview comes just a few days after Hughes shared an intimate selfie of himself and Siwa cuddling in bed, after which the dancer told The Guardian newspaper, “It’s not platonic anymore, and it’s been a beautiful development, a beautiful connection, and I’m absolutely head-over-heels for him and he’s the same way.”
Siwa later gushed about her relationship in an interview with Billboard, also telling Tetris Kelly about what it’s been like to navigate a public relationship while identifying as queer. “It’s really hard because people tear it apart,” she said. “I’ve dated beautiful women, I’ve dated beautiful nonbinary people, I have dated men… but I realize that’s just who I am. I realize for myself that I just like humans.”
Mariah Carey is teasing MC16 with her dangerously hot new track in years “Type Dangerous.” Anderson .Paak shares what it was like to work with the queen, and how Mariah celebrated her new single. What do you think of “Type Dangerous”? Let us know in the comments! Anderson .Paak: Shout-out to the Queen, Mariah Carey. […]
Billboard Japan unveiled its mid-year charts for 2025 early Friday morning (June 6), and Mrs. GREEN APPLE dominated the three major domestic rankings for the first time in the platform’s history: the all-genre Japan Hot 100 song chart, the Hot Albums tally, and the Artist 100 list compiled from the sum of the former two charts.
The three-man band’s songs old and new are loved by a wide audience, including the long-running hit “Lilac,” streamed approximately 270 million times during the mid-year tallying period. As they forge ahead with projects marking the tenth anniversary of their major-label debut, members Motoki Omori, Hiloto Wakai, and Ryoka Fujisawa shared their thoughts on the band’s monumental achievement during a packed schedule, repeatedly expressing their gratitude to everyone who listens to their music.
“Lilac” is the No. 1 song on Billboard Japan’s mid-year Japan Hot 100. Mrs. GREEN APPLE also remains atop the Artist 100 chart following your reign over the year-end list for 2024, and your album ANTENNA tops the Hot Albums tally for the first time. Congratulations! How do you feel about this unprecedented accomplishment?
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Motoki Omori (vocals, guitar): I’m thrilled. I also feel humbled, but the fact that so many people are listening to our music just makes me so happy. I’d like to continue making music sincerely from now on as well. Thank you.
Hiloto Wakai (guitar): It makes me really happy to know that our music is reaching so many people in this way. “Lilac” is a song from last year, and since we aim to make songs that will be loved for a long time, it’s very gratifying. Thank you.
Ryoka Fujisawa (keyboards): Mrs. GREEN APPLE is celebrating its tenth anniversary since its debut this year. From the time we formed the band, we’ve continued to place importance on putting out the music that Omori writes, so I feel very happy and grateful that it’s being listened to by many and appreciated like this. Thank you.
And Mr. Omori, you’re on your way to becoming the Top Lyricist and Top Composer for the third year straight, after topping the mid-year results for 2025. In addition to “Lilac,” “Bitter Vacances,” “Que Sera Sera,” “Darling,” and “Soranji” are also charting in the top 10, proving that many listeners are inspired by your words, and the melodies that create the world of your songs.
Omori: You know what, I’m just really pleased to hear such kind words from each person and also about the fact that our songs are blending into everyday life and adding color to it. Like, “I danced to your song on our school’s sports day,” or “It was playing at such-and-such a place,” for example. I still find it hard to believe that my music has become a part of people’s everyday lives, but it really gives me joy. Writing music is a necessity in my life, not just something I enjoy doing. It’s something very important for me to be able to live my life as who I am, so I feel really fortunate that the recognition meshes properly with that and am grateful for it.
You’ve had many opportunities to do solo work in addition to working as a band. Do you feel that you’ve grown from those experiences?
Wakai: I’ve done solo work before, but used to always be like, “What if I mess up?” and sometimes things didn’t go well. But now that I’m being tapped to work as an individual on more occasions, I’m starting to gradually enjoy myself more, so that feels like proof that I’m growing as a person.
Omori: I’ve had more opportunities to do acting, and it’s the first time in four years that I’ve done any solo work. I feel very reassured by the magnitude of our band and the fact that Wakai and Fujisawa are protecting it as my allies. I’m able to lean on them now, and that feels like personal growth, or that time has passed. I’m truly grateful to both of them.
Fujisawa: I’ve been watching Omori and Wakai working hard on their solo endeavors and like them, I’m determined to do my best representing our band, but I don’t think I’m in a position to speak of such ambitions yet. When I’m working on my own, it really hits home how important Omori and Wakai are to me. Like the things they say, or words of encouragement they give me when we’re working together. I really appreciate that kind of casual, everyday communication. Every day I realize how grateful I am that they’re there.
The tenth anniversary of your debut, as well as your anniversary concerts and dome tour are coming up. What do you think are the highlights and things to look out for in these events for fans looking forward to them?
Omori: I think the best way to experience the latest Mrs. GREEN APPLE is at one of our live shows, so I hope everyone will enjoy our energy to the fullest. I’m just looking forward to meeting many people. I want to express my gratitude directly to the people who support us so much, so I hope we’ll have more opportunities to do so. Everything is going to be fun, so I really hope people will enjoy it from the bottom of their hearts without hesitation. That’s all I can say.
Wakai: There are some songs we haven’t performed live yet, so I hope people have fun waiting to see if they’ll be played or not. We’re all excited getting prepared, so let’s go full-out and create some fun memories together! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Fujisawa: This year is our MGA MAGICAL 10 YEARS celebration, and we intend to unleash lots of things that everyone will enjoy. As the other two said, we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone, and more than anything, we’re grateful to be able to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our major-label debut in this way. All we feel is gratitude, and I hope everyone is really, really looking forward to it!
–This interview by Mariko Ikitake first appeared on Billboard Japan
Samuel L. Jackson didn’t exactly know what he was getting into when he first agreed to be a part of Kendrick Lamar‘s Super Bowl Halftime Show. The veteran actor and civil rights activist stopped by the Mad Sad Bad podcast and talked about his turn as Uncle Sam during the Super Bowl earlier this year, […]
Mrs. GREEN APPLE dominates Billboard Japan’s mid-year domestic charts for 2025, rounding up the weeks from Nov. 25, 2024 through May 25, 2025.
On the Japan Hot 100 song chart, the three-man band’s “Lilac” leads the list for the first half of the year. “Lilac” was released on April 12, 2024, and featured as the opening theme song for the anime show Oblivion Battery. The track became a long-running hit, topping the Japan Hot 100 five times during the tallying period for the 2025 mid-year chart.
Rosé & Bruno Mars’ “APT.” follows at No. 2. The global hit led the Japan Hot 100 on the chart released Nov. 20, becoming the first song by a Western act to hit No. 1 on the tally in about eleven and a half years, since The Wanted’s “Glad You Came” in May 2013.
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At No. 3 is Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Bitter Vacances.” The theme song for the live-action movie Saint Young Men became the third-fastest song to rack up 100 million streams for the band. Four songs by the hitmakers have charted in the mid-year top five, the first time any act has accomplished this feat.
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Frontman and principal songwriter Motoki Omori comments, “I’m thrilled. I also feel humbled, but the fact that so many people are listening to our music just makes me so happy. I’d like to continue making music sincerely from now on as well. Thank you.” Guitarist Hiloto Wakai says, “It makes me really happy to know that our music is reaching so many people in this way. ‘Lilac’ is a song from last year, and since we aim to make songs that will be loved for a long time, it’s very gratifying. Thank you.” Keyboardist Ryoka Fujisawa notes, “Mrs. GREEN APPLE is celebrating its tenth anniversary since its debut this year. From the time we formed the band, we’ve continued to place importance on putting out the music that Omori writes, so I feel very happy and grateful that it’s being listened to by many and appreciated like this. Thank you.”
Mrs. GREEN APPLE also rules the mid-year Hot Albums chart, with its fifth studio set ANTENNA leading the list. The project dropped on July 5, 2023 and came in at No. 1 for streaming and No. 7 for downloads during the 2025 mid-year tallying period.
Snow Man’s best-of album THE BEST 2020 – 2025 follows at No. 2. The collection by the nine-member group sold 1,616,736 copies during the tallying period and topped the album sales chart. SixTONES’ fifth album GOLD is at No. 3. All of the sextet’s albums, including this one, has hit No. 1 on the Hot Albums tally.
And Mrs. GREEN APPLE rounds out the mid-year trifecta as the top artist on the Japan Artist 100 chart, compiled from the results of the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts. 20 songs by the “Darling” hitmakers have charted in the mid-year top 100.
back number follows at No. 2. The veteran three-man band’s latest hit is “Blue Amber,” being featured as the theme song of a currently ongoing drama series. At No. 3 is singer-songwriter Vaundy, who has five songs including “Kaiju no Hanauta” and “Fuujin” charting in the top 100.
The globalization of music has been gaining momentum in recent years, with Japanese artists performing overseas more proactively and a brand-new international music award, MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, launching this year. On Billboard Japan’s Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart that tallies songs from the country that are popular abroad, Creepy Nuts’ “Otonoke” rules the mid-year round-up. The Dandadan opener has become a global hit following the rap duo’s breakout smash “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born.” “Otonoke” also topped the country and region specific Japan Songs rankings in six countries and regions, tallying the weeks from Nov. 22, 2024 through May 22, 2025.
“‘Otonoke’ has topped the mid-year Global Japan Songs excl. Japan chart for 2025, a ranking of songs from our country that are being listened to globally. Thank you so much!” comment Creepy Nuts. “We’re really proud of ‘Otonoke,’ so we’re glad to know so many people from around the world are enjoying it. We also look forward to being able to visit the countries where our songs are being listened to and perform live there. Thank you for your continued support!”
Billboard Japan Hot 100 Mid-Year Chart 2025
1. “Lilac” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2. “APT.” / Rosé & Bruno Mars
3. “Bitter Vacances” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
4. “Que Sera Sera” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
5. “Darling” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
6. “Soranji” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
7. “Otonoke” / Creepy Nuts
8. “Kawaii Dakeja Dame Desuka?” / CUTIE STREET
9. “IKUOKUKONEN” / Omoinotake
10. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts
Billboard Japan Hot Albums Mid-Year Chart 2025
1. ANTENNA / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2. THE BEST 2020 – 2025 / Snow Man
3. Attitude / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
4. strobo / Vaundy
5. No.Ⅰ / Number_i
6. replica / Vaundy
7. Rosie / Rosé
8. Hello! We’re timelesz / timelesz
9. LOST CORNER / Kenshi Yonezu
10. BAD HOP / BAD HOP
Billboard Japan Artist 100 Mid-Year Chart 2025
1. Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2. back number
3. Vaundy
4. Kenshi Yonezu
5. Official HIGE DANdism
6. YOASOBI
7. Aimyon
8. Creepy Nuts
9. Snow Man
10. CHANMINA
Billboard Japan Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan Mid-Year Chart 2025
1. “Otonoke” / Creepy Nuts
2. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts
3. “Idol” / YOASOBI
4. “Shinunoga E-Wa” / Fujii Kaze
5. “ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)” / LiSA
6. “TOKYO DRIFT (FAST & FURIOUS)” / TERIYAKI BOYZ
7. “Mayonaka no Door – Stay With Me” / Miki Matsubara
8. “It’s Going Down Now” / Lotus Juice/Azumi Takahashi
9. “NIGHT DANCER” / imase
10. “Racing into the Night” / YOASOBI
The first week of June is ending with an impressive variety of major music releases, with hitmakers such as Sabrina Carpenter, Mariah Carey and Ed Sheeran all dropping new tracks. Both S.C. and M.C. released songs dedicated to the types of partners they’re attracted to, but with decisively different attitudes. Marking her first piece of […]
Over the past two-ish years, BLINKs have definitely missed seeing their favorite lovesick girls together. But this summer, the ladies of BLACKPINK will finally be a unit once more, with ROSÉ, LISA, JENNIE and JISOO set to return with a world tour and new music after taking time off to pursue solo projects. And, much […]
