State Champ Radio Music News
Page: 243
Ye (formerly Kanye West) attempted to release his new song titled “Heil Hitler,” but he claims the controversial track was taken down by streaming platforms and is banned by DSPs.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
West has been teasing the single for some time and he uploaded his new track to SoundCloud on Thursday (May 8), but it’s since been removed from the platform.
“Heil Hitler by Ye has been banned by all digital streaming platforms,” Ye wrote on X before pointing out the double standard he sees in streaming censorship. “While Rednecks by Randy Newman remains streamable They’re literally keeping the n—-s down.”
Trending on Billboard
The track finds Ye addressing his custody issues over his four children with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, while also claiming that banks are freezing his accounts and rapping about his nitrous use. “With all this money and fame, I still can’t get my kids back/ With all this money and fame I still can’t see my children,” he raps.
West also repeats the titular phrase on the song’s refrain and claims he “became a Nazi yet b—h, I’m the villain.” The horn-tinged outro features a portion of a German speech from Adolf Hitler.
Billboard has reached out to reps for Ye as well as SoundCloud and Spotify.
The song has been teased by Ye in recent weeks as various clips showed on Sneako’s stream while he was working on the song, which followed his series of antisemitic X tirades praising Hitler.
It’s been a turbulent week for West, who stormed off the set of a combative interview with Piers Morgan on Tuesday (May 6) within minutes of it beginning after the Uncensored host got Ye’s follower count on X wrong.
“You’re not gonna take inches off my di–, bro.” the Chicago native said before he left the interview. “I’m a gift, bro. Why do all you people in media act like you haven’t played my songs at your weddings, or graduations or at funerals or when your child was born?”
He continued: “You take someone like that’s living, like a [John] Lennon or a Michael Jackson. That nuance right there is idiotic. It just shows the hate that you put out for people that put out love. There’s so much love in the art that I put out. This is what you get for now, we can circle back when you can count.”
John Lydon took an unexpected swipe at The Rolling Stones during an appearance on a British morning show Wednesday (May 7).
Appearing on the U.K.’s Good Morning Britain to promote his upcoming tour with Public Image Ltd., the former Sex Pistols frontman brought his fellow veteran rockers into the conversation while defending his own career longevity. “If I just sat back and retired, that’s just not me. I’m not that kind of person,” the artist formerly known as Johnny Rotten said before musing, “By all means, The Rolling Stones should retire.”
As the program’s hosts burst into laughter, Lydon couldn’t resist making another jab, saying, “I’m not short of a song idea or two, so there’s a difference.” However, quick to acknowledge his comments had the potential to cause a stir, he jokingly added, “Hold on, I’ve offended music lovers!” while screwing his face up into a cheeky scowl.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I’m not sure that you’d worry about causing offense, would you?” host Charlotte Hawkins pressed, to which the 69-year-old firebrand replied, “Certainly not! I mean, to compare music lovers with The Rolling Stones is absurd!”
Trending on Billboard
As the hosts tried to pivot to a different topic, Lydon laughed off his comments by making a giant pot-stirring motion and saying, “Give me a big spoon!”
Of course, the Stones last released new music with their 2023 album Hackney Diamonds, which was notable for serving as the band’s first full-length of original material in nearly two decades. The LP, which featured lead single “Angry” as well as Lady Gaga collab “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top Rock Albums chart. (It also topped the chart in the band’s native U.K. and eventually took home the Grammy for best rock album the following year.)
Meanwhile, Lydon and the rest of Public Image Ltd. also unveiled their eleventh studio set, End of World, in 2023, which bowed at No. 33 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart.
Watch a clip of Lydon’s pot-stirring chat on Good Morning Britain below.
He brought ‘Anarchy to the UK’ nearly 50 years ago, but after sadly losing his wife Nora in April 2023, and his best friend and manager just 8 months later, former Sex Pistol John Lydon thought he’d never tour again.But two years on, the pioneering godfather of punk is back… pic.twitter.com/Nr7oN6WBSZ— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 7, 2025
John Summit will play his biggest solo headlining set to date this fall in Boulder, Colo. The show will happen on October 18 and the city’s 50,000-capacity Folsom Field, the football stadium located on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. The show is being presented by AEG Presents Rocky Mountains in partnership with CU Boulder, with general tickets […]
Vic Mensa has come out in support of Kehlani after the singer has seen two of their live shows canceled in recent weeks.
The Chicago rapper shared an open letter on Instagram to the Bay Area singer about her recently canceled SummerStage Central Park.
“Dear Kehlani,” his Wednesday (May 7) post began. “Few artists, and even fewer at your level of success, have chosen to center humanity and courage as boldly and uncompromisingly as you have, let alone at the peak of their popularity. Although newer to religion, I have a deep seated belief that God, or the universe, or however you categorize the all-powerful presence of the divine, is taking note — of every selfless action, of every sacrifice, of every time we jeopardize our security to do what’s right. I toe the line with you.”
He continued on by sharing that he sometimes has been reluctant to speak up because he didn’t want to lose opportunities.
“I lost a lot,” he wrote. “I’ll be honest. But, perhaps out of necessity, I have to choose to believe that when the smoke clears, I’ll look at my past with pride; I wasn’t perfect, but I forged myself out of fire. I took the hard road. I’ve been awe inspired by the way you’ve stood up. Especially at a time when I fell back and I asked myself, ‘Although, I need to feed my son, what kind of man do I want to inspire him to be?’”
Vic then brought up his Muslim faith and commended Kehlani for their sacrifice and bravery. “The highest form of sadaqah, or charity, is that which is given in health, and with much loved wealth,” he wrote. “When we give, not what we don’t need, but what we need most, the reverberation is supreme.”
He added, “I have often thought about your choices over the last 18 months. Wished I was more brave and more self sufficient. The truth is, your people love you. Not because of an opportunity provided to you by a booker here, or a city there, but because they cherish the depth of your soul. None of this can change that. As long as you have them you can never lose. The powers that be may be great, but I do believe we can all agree — there is a greater power.”
In response to Cornell University canceling their show, Kehlani reiterated that she isn’t antisemitic or antisemitic — she’s anti-genocide. When it came to the SummerStage cancellation, the musician responded with “lol” on Instagram Stories and added that they found out about the cancellation on IG.
The “Afterhours” artist has been open about her support for Palestine in the Israel-Hamas war. In 2023, they — along with numerous other musicians called for a ceasefire when signing the Artists Against Apartheid letter. Her 2024 music video for “Next 2 U” also featured dancers waving Palestinian flags.
After weeks of speculation, J.I.D. has announced his new album, God Does Like Ugly, and confirmed it’s dropping later this year. On Thursday (May 8), J.I.D. shared God Does Like Ugly will be released on Aug. 8. The Dreamville rapper had previously dropped off his new single “WRK” on April 18. The new track was […]
Rick Ross and Drake have remained at odds since exchanging jabs on a series of diss tracks last year, but Rozay is open to ending the beef with his “Stay Schemin” collaborator.
The Biggest Boss joined Bootleg Kev for an interview Wednesday (May 7), during which they discussed the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, something Ross saw as “necessary” for the rap game.
The conversation then switched to spotlight the root of Rozay’s issues with Drake, which Bootleg Kev theorized came from Drake’s treatment of French Montana on a track.
Trending on Billboard
“I spoke on that on the record I released. Like I said, ‘F–k that s–t,’” Ross said. “Was it something really deep? Nah, f–k that, though. But if you p—y, you p—y. If it’s real, it’s real.”
Now, it’s unclear if Ross is being 100 percent serious, but the Florida rapper says he’d be open to squashing his feud with Drizzy.
“You never know,” he began. “If a n—a send me a bottle of Luc Belaire, especially the white one. That go for any of these young n—-s out here … Send me a white Belaire and I’ll take a picture with you.”
Drake sent shots at Ross on his April 2024 “Push Ups” diss track, and Rozay returned the favor with “Champagne Moments.” Ross accused Drizzy of getting a nose job and referred to the OVO rapper as the “white boy” while continuing to troll the 6 God on social media.
Rick Ross and Drake have teamed up for a handful of anthems over the years, including Rozay’s three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Lemon Pepper Freestyle,” “Money in the Grave” and DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One.”
Last year, Ross joined Yung Miami for an episode of Caresha Please, which saw him reflect on being at odds with Drake.
“He mentioned my name, and that’s a no-no,” he said. “Don’t do that, especially when it ain’t about no real s–t. But when you do that, OK then: this is how we gonna play. I can wake up every day and say ‘BBL Drizzy’ or some old s–t, while I’m smoking a joint, listening to the waterfalls and all that s–t, looking at the birds fly off. That s–t easy for me. I don’t know. It depend on how I feel. I ain’t losing no sleep over none of that.”
Watch Rick Ross talk to Bootleg Kev about his Drake feud below:
When Donald Trump finally visits the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center next month to attend his first-ever show at the beloved Washington, D.C. cultural institution he will be treated to a performance of the musical Les Misérables that will be missing a number of key players. According to CNN, at least 10-12 of the show’s performers are expected to skip the June 11 performance Trump will reportedly attend on the same night as a high-dollar fundraiser at the Center.
CNN reported that the cast was given the option to not be on stage the night Trump is in the house, with both unnamed “major cast members and members of the ensemble” opting to take a night off in the midst of the Trump administration’s aggressive makeover of the venue. As part of his government-wide slash-and-burn effort to remake Washington his image, Trump installed himself as the chairman of the Kennedy Center with the help of a rebooted board made up entirely of his hand-picked appointees at the institution that has traditionally had a bipartisan mix of board members.
The Les Miz performance will coincide with the fundraiser featuring sponsorship levels selling for as much as $2 million according to ABC News, with the invitation noting that Trump will appear that night as “a special guest and friend of the Kennedy Center”; at press time it was not clear what the funds were being raised for as Trump is constitutionally barred from running for a third term. Trump played songs from the musical about the plight of the impoverished underclass during the French Revolution on stops of his 2016 presidential campaign, upsetting the co-creators of the stage musical, who requested that he stop blasting “Do You Hear the People Sing?” at his rallies.
In a statement to EW, Trump confidant and the Center’s new director, Richard Grenell, said of the reported boycott, “We haven’t heard this rumor. But the Kennedy Center will no longer fund intolerance. Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed. In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn’t hire — and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience.”
The cast boycott is the latest in an unfolding culture war between the Trump administration and some artists who were slated to perform at the Kennedy Center, a number of whom canceled shows in the wake of the Trump takeover. Among those who pulled gigs or resigned from their leadership roles at the Kennedy Center in protest were: Ben Folds, Renee Fleming, Shonda Rhimes, Low Cut Connie, Rhiannon Giddens, Issa Rae, as well as a performance of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton, the lauded show Trump subsequently criticized, saying “I never liked Hamilton very much.”
Trump raged against the programming at the Center in February in a Truth Social post in which he wrote, “No more drag show, or other anti-American propaganda — Only the best.” In another post, Trump said he wanted to make sure the Kennedy Center “runs properly. We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center. Some of the shows were terrible. They were a disgrace that they were even put on.”
Read it and weep, conspiracy theorists: Lea Michele has proven once and for all that she is not illiterate.
After years of enduring absurd but persistent rumors that she never learned to read, the Glee actress finally demonstrated on camera that she is totally capable of interpreting the written English language. But first, while serving as a guest on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast episode posted Wednesday (May 7), Michele began by saying that her feelings about the wild speculation “depends on the day.”
“Sometimes I think it’s crazy that people care enough about me that they would make up something … that someone has so little to do in their life in their day that they would waste it on me, is hilarious to me,” she told Shane. “And then there are moments where I f–king get so frustrated by it, because I’m one of the only women in my whole family to get accepted to college. My mother and my mother’s whole family was extremely poor from the Bronx, not very well educated, and my parents moved me from the Bronx to New Jersey to get a good education and to thrive, and I did.”
“My parents and my family are so proud of that … for someone to minimize that, it’s so sad and so frustrating,” she continued, noting that she was on the debate team in school, for which she had to write speeches.
Trending on Billboard
After talking about the illiteracy rumors for a few minutes, an exasperated Michele abruptly decided to show, not tell, Shane’s viewers that she can read. “Give me the [notecards], I’m reading them!” she said, reaching for the podcaster’s notes.
“Jonathan [Groff] is not here to read me this s–t!” she added, referencing her good friend and former Spring Awakening costar.
The Broadway star then proceeded to successfully read the contents of the card aloud — at one point joking, “What does this word say?” — putting the debate over her literacy to bed as Shane howled with laughter. The hilarious moment ends years of people speculating online that, having started doing theater as a young child, Michele never learned to read and instead depended on people to feed her her lines. The actress has poked fun at the theory a few times over the years, and in a 2022 interview with The New York Times, she stated, “I went to Glee every single day. I knew my lines every single day. And then there’s a rumor online that I can’t read or write? It’s sad. It really is. I think often if I were a man, a lot of this wouldn’t be the case.”
Beyond dispelling the silliest rumor of her career, Michele also spoke at length about her days on Glee. “We were all so young, and everybody was growing up and falling in love, and for me, that was a huge part of the whole experience for me,” she said of her castmates. “When I watch it, I can tell you exactly, ‘Oh, that day I was sobbing in my dressing room.’ Or, ‘That day was the best day in the world.’”
Watch Michele’s full interview on Therapuss above.
Ed Sheeran has long known that the line between pleasure and pain is a thin one, best traversed with care and a healthy regard for the surprises life throws at you. That sentiment is essentially the thesis for the singer’s new video for his nostalgic ballad “Old Phone.”
The Emil Nava-directed clip that dropped on Thursday morning (May 8) for the second single from Sheeran’s upcoming Play album (Sept. 12) opens with Sheeran in a wistful mood. Sitting on his hotel bed, Ed flips through old conversations on his dusty, recently recovered Blackberry, saying in voiceover, “I was finding text messages from people that aren’t even here anymore and reading conversations with people I wish I could have conversations with now.”
So, he explains, he did what anyone would do in that situation: he build a bespoke, pop-up pub in Ipswich, MA in March, which fans could gain entry into by sending a video or message from an old phone that had some meaning to them. “I found my old phone today/ In a box that I had hidden away/ Nostalgia trying to lead me astray/ Maybe I’ll unwrite some wrongs,” he sings over gentle acoustic guitar and footage of fans lining up for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to join Sheeran in the pub.
Trending on Billboard
We watch the construction of Old Phone Pub and the delighted look on the singer’s face as he sees it taking shape, as well as Sheeran reaching out to the many fans lined up outside and visiting some local neighborhood spots to spread the word. In addition to playing an impromptu Ipswich street jam, the video finds Sheeran sitting in solitude inside a bowling alley, as well as testimonials from those who submitted clips to be projected onto the walls of the bar.
One was from a mom who sent in a video of her two deceased daughters, 12 and 4 in the clip, saying, “they were just goofin’ off just being sisters,” over footage of the home movie being screened on the outside of the temporary venue. Other testimonials are from a woman who shared footage of her with her old boyfriend and a man who offered a movie of him dancing with his beloved late grandma at a wedding; at one point Sheeran can be seen chatting with the man outside the bar.
“It was really cool to watch that and to be able to share with him some of our stories. That was nice,” the mom says. The video winds down pivoting from Sheeran smiling at his old home movies, to fans sitting mesmerized as he performs the song in the pop-up with a back-up band of Irish musicians. “I wanted to make it feel like the song does… raw, stripped-back, emotional, nostalgic and special,” Sheeran says at the end.
Over the past month Sheeran has made headlines by playing surprise mini-concerts at other bars in Boston and Nashville, as well as hitting Nashville’s Santa’s Pub a few weeks ago with Noah Kahan for a short dual set and reconstructing the pop-up pub at Coachella.
Watch Sheeran’s “Old Phone” video below.
Lorde is gearing up to do a scan of arenas across North America and Europe this fall, with the pop star announcing her Ultrasound Tour in support of upcoming album Virgin Thursday (May 8).
Breaking the news on Instagram, Lorde shared a tour poster featuring a blue X-ray photo — similar to her June-slated fourth album’s cover art — and wrote, “I am going on tour in support of my new album, Virgin.”
“Very proud and excited to be bringing my most talented friends in support,” she added. “Come see what’s under the skin.”
Trending on Billboard
Per the tour poster, Virgin co-producers Jim-E Stack and Dev Hynes of Blood Orange will be joining the “Royals” singer on the road for select dates, as will The Japanese House, Nilüfer Yanya, Chanel Beads, Empress Of and Oklou. The trek will kick off Sept. 17 in Austin, Texas, followed by U.S. and Canada shows in Chicago, Nashville, Toronto, Boston, New York City, Las Vegas, Seattle and more cities through late October.
In November, Lorde will head overseas for the European leg, starting in Luxembourg and followed by Paris, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin and more before wrapping Dec. 9 in Stockholm.
The Ultrasound Tour will mark Lorde’s first trek since 2021’s Solar Power Tour, which supported the Grammy winner’s album of the same name. It’s also her first arena tour since the 2017-2018 Melodrama World Tour, with Lorde favoring more intimate, theater-sized venues for the Solar Power run.
Fans can buy tickets as soon as May 14, with a pre-sale going live at 10 a.m. local time. Registration is already open on Lorde’s website.
After that, more tickets will become available in a general on sale on May 16.
The announcement comes shortly after Lorde dropped her comeback single, “What Was That,” in April, shortly before revealing that Virgin would be arriving June 27.
See Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour announcement below.
