State Champ Radio Music News
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Halsey is about to release a song with one of her heroes. On Tuesday (May 6), the singer-songwriter announced that her new track “Hand That Feeds” for the upcoming film Ballerina would be arriving in just a few days, featuring none other than Amy Lee of Evanescence. Sharing the news in a joint post on […]
Rockstar Games unleashed the second trailer for the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI on Tuesday (May 6), and fans are headed back to Vice City. GTA has a penchant for perfectly curating the soundtrack to match the game’s vibe, and they did it again with The Pointer Sisters‘ 1986 hit “Hot Together” playing throughout the […]
Live events company Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) improved its revenue 6% to $243 million in the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, the company announced Tuesday (May 6). Operating income of $27.3 million marked a 63% improvement. The results “reflect continued strong consumer and corporate demand as well as a wide variety of live […]
A$AP Rocky has opened up about his gun assault trial for the first time, calling the experience “gut-wrenching and nerve-wracking.” In a new interview with Variety published on Tuesday (May 6), Rocky talked about what it was like sitting in the courtroom for his gun assault trial in February — he was accused by former […]
106 & Park is back, at least for one night. On Tuesday (May 6), BET announced that 106 & Park is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a host reunion and a night of special performances at the 2025 BET Awards.
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A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J will be packing on the nostalgia with a reunion after raising a generation of millennial rap and R&B fans.
“106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show — it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest rated BET programs for over a decade,” BET president Scott Mills said in a statement. “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion,and became a platform where voices, style and sound converged. 106 & Park both celebrated and fueled many of the most important musical and culture evolutions that occurred during its two-and-a-half-decade tenure.”
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On the performance side, Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow, will hit the stage with B2K, Mya, Amerie, Jim Jones and T.I. on June 9. The BET Awards will kick off at the family of BET Networks at 8 p.m. ET.
“106 & Park served as a cultural touchstone, embodying the energy, creativity and authenticity of a generation,” stated Connie Orlando, who serves as the EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “It provided artists a direct connection to their fans, transforming everyday moments into lasting memories. The show’s legacy continues to influence how we engage with music, connect with talent and celebrate Black creativity. We are thrilled to commemorate 25 years of this iconic series at this year’s BET Awards.”
There will be plenty of activations for fans to get in on the festivities in Los Angeles for culture’s biggest week. The BET Fan Fest (BETX) will be set up at the L.A. Convention Center with the 106 & Park stage throughout the weekend on June 7 and June 8, leading into the BET Awards.
Launched on Sept. 11, 2000, 106 & Park enjoyed a fruitful run filled with appearances from music’s biggest stars, and went off the air after a 14-year run in 2014.
The family and friends of Queens rapper Chinx, who died in 2015, are setting up a foundation in his name on the 10th anniversary of his passing.
The Lionel D. Pickens Foundation will focus on youth mentorship and development by connecting young people with mentors to help guide them academically, professionally and emotionally; scholarships for ambitious students regardless of circumstance; small business grants that provide local entrepreneurs with funding and resources’ and community initiatives such as coat drives, Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and toys drives for families in need across the five boroughs of New York City.
“Lionel was more than an artist — he was a dreamer, a provider, and a beacon of hope to so many,” said Veronica Clinton, co-founder and Chinx’s mother, via press release. “Through this foundation, we are continuing what he started: helping others rise up, chase their goals and never give up, no matter where they come from.”
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The foundation’s official launch will be commemorated with his annual community candle lighting on May 17 on Queens Blvd, where supporters, family and friends will gather to remember Lionel “Chinx” Pickens and celebrate the foundation’s mission.
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“This foundation is our way of turning pain into power,” said Janelli Caceres, co-founder and Lionel’s widow, via press release. “It’s about honoring Lionel by investing in the futures of others — especially those who’ve been forgotten, underestimated or underserved.”
Douglas Ellison, one of the foundation’s board members and Chinx’s former manager, added, “Lionel had the heart of a leader, he lifted people up, he inspired them to dream bigger. This foundation continues that work, so his voice, his values and his love for this community never fade.”
Chinx killed in a 2015 drive-by shooting while sitting in his car at a red light. Last year, Quincy Homere was sentenced to 23 years for his hand in the killing, while Chinx Hill’s case is still pending because he’s already incarcerated for an unrelated charge.
Chinx made a name for himself during the mid-2000s when he started making music with the late Stack Bundles and later, French Montana.
Andrea Bocelli signed an exclusive, five-year worldwide agreement with AEG Presents for the creation and management of his live performances, in collaboration with his management team (Veronica Berti and Francesco Pasquero), agency WME and record label Universal Music Group. The deal, which begins on Jan. 1, 2026, covers all of Bocelli’s ticketed live events globally.
Mark Ambor, who scored his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with the smash 2024 track “Belong Together,” signed to Capitol Records. The singer-songwriter is currently touring in Europe and set to play festivals including Governors Ball, Lollapalooza (in both Chicago and Berlin) and Outside Lands. He concluded his North American tour last year.
Don McLean (“American Pie”) signed with Day After Day Productions for exclusive global touring representation. The singer-songwriter currently has more than a dozen tour dates lined up in the U.S.
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Country singer-songwriter Ink signed with Big Loud Records and Electric Feel Records. She is managed by SALXCO. Ink co-wrote three tracks for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, including “16 Carriages,” “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “American Requiem,” as well as Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s smash single “Luther,” among many other credits.
Management firm Shelter Music Group announced the signings of five artists: Cheap Trick, Boys Like Girls, Chiodos, American Hi-Fi and Dead Poet Society. Cheap Trick is gearing up for its 2025 tour and a new album; Boys Like Girls will support the Jonas Brothers on its 20th anniversary stadium and arena tour; Chiodos is currently touring to promote the 20th anniversary of All’s Well That Ends Well and will embark on another tour in the fall, with a new studio album and more touring to come next year; American Hi-Fi are gearing up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band’s self-titled debut album; and Dead Poet Society are set to tour across Europe and the U.K. this summer, and later across the U.S. in support of Chevelle.
New Found Glory signed to Pure Noise Records, which released the band’s latest single, “100%.” The band is set to perform at Slam Dunk Music Festival before touring with The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World on the SUPERCHARGED: Worldwide in ’25 Tour in North America, followed by several U.K. headline dates.
Country singer-songwriter Mark Chesnutt signed with Conway Entertainment Group/Ontourage Management for management and Absolutely Publicity for PR. Chesnutt is represented by Risha Rodgers at WME’s Nashville division for live bookings.
RaeLynn signed with The Valory Music Co., which will release her latest track, “Heaven Is a Honky Tonk,” on Friday (May 9) in partnership with Red Van Records/Jonas Group Entertainment. The country singer-songwriter is touring with Jason Aldean on his Full Throttle Tour this summer.
British Columbia-based singer-songwriter Luca Fogale signed to Nettwerk, which released “Begin,” his first single of 2025, with more music set for release in the coming months. Fogale just wrapped a headline tour of North America and is currently touring in Europe. He’s managed by Colin McTaggart and Piers Henwood at Amelia Artists and booked by Grant Paley at Midnight Agency for Canada.
R&B artist RAAHiiM (“Peak (Fed Up)”) signed with MNRK Music Group, which released his single “Just Like Me” on Friday (May 2). He’s set to support Jessie Reyez on her North American tour beginning on June 10. RAAHiiM is managed by Joven Haye and booked by Olivia Mirabella, Yves Pierre and Jacqueline Reynolds-Drumm at CAA.
Capitol Christian Music Group signed singer-songwriter Eli Gable, whose debut single, “Holy Ghost Town,” releases May 16. The Ohio native moved to Nashville in 2020 and creates music that blends worship, folk and rock styles. Gable will join Rend Collective on the Folk! 2025 Fall Tour starting Oct. 17 in Portland, Maine. The CCMG roster also includes Chris Tomlin, Blessing Offor, Crowder and Franni Cash. – Jessica Nicholson
Universal Music Korea signed hip-hop artists Okasian and Bryan Chase. Both rose to prominence in Korea as part of The Cohort’s hip-hop crew. Both recently featured on “LOV3,” a track off Sik-k and Lil Moshpit’s [K-FLIP+] EP released in March.
Quavo’s the Rocket Foundation hosted a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday (May 4) for moms who have lost children to gun violence.
The Migos frontman was in attendance alongside his mother, as well as the late TakeOff’s mom and grandmother; TakeOff was killed in a shooting in Houston on Nov. 1, 2022.
Quavo launched the Rocket Foundation following the death of his nephew, with a goal of reducing gun violence across the country. Draped in white and pastel colors, attendees enjoyed a day of healing as flowers by Fenty Beauty and photos of the lives lost lined the building in Atlanta.
“It’s three times a year that’s really hard. This is one of the major ones. TakeOff made me a mama,” TakeOff’s mother, Tatiana Davenport, told The Atlanta Voice. “I pray that mothers will have a place, like a refuge, where they can get finances to help them grow. They may need spiritual help. They may need mental help. Because it’s all hard, and it’s all combined into one. So I pray that this day will allow them to feel that they can continue to go on and grow.”
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There was also a panel with representatives from various anti-violence groups discussing what can be done in the community to enact the changes they want to see.
It’s the fourth initiative of its kind hosted by the Rocket Foundation, which has plans for another meeting with members of congress this summer.
Earlier this month, the Rocket Foundation named Gregory Jackson Jr. as the president of the organization. Jackson Jr. previously served as the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which was dismantled by the Trump Administration.
“What they’re going through, while it’s painful, there’s a whole community here that has their back and has been through similar trials, and we’re just stronger together than we are apart,” Jackson Jr. told those in attendance. “Maybe just every once in a while, there’s a sad night, they’ll remember that there are so many other people there to support them, even if they aren’t physically there with them. And frankly, we want to inspire them to continue to be courageous in speaking out on this issue, pushing for change, because that’s how we fix this.”
On the music side, Quavo released a posthumous collaboration with TakeOff “Dope By Phone,” which hit streaming services on May 2.
Pharrell Williams‘ hosting duties had only just begun after the 2025 Met Gala — which he co-chaired with A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton — ended Monday night (May 5).
Following the glamorous event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the producer invited a star-studded list of guests to join him for an “after hours” UNO tournament at Crane Club in the West Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Among the players were Kim Kardashian, Keke Palmer, Jaden Smith, Pusha T, Future, Ciara, Lala Anthony, Questlove, PinkPantheress, Maggie Rogers and Halle Bailey, who posed for photos, sipped on drinks and — at least in some cases — probably made a few lifelong enemies with some well-timed “Draw Four” cards.
Emceed by streamer and onetime Billboard cover star Kai Cenat, the evening also saw the winners of the tournament take home prizes ranging from a Richard Mille watch to diamond Tiffany & Co. earrings. A Louis Vuitton trunk was also awarded, as was a custom UNO varsity jacket designed by the night’s host himself.
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The tournament capped off one of the most highly anticipated celebrity events of the year, with many of Williams’ UNO guests having walked the Met Gala red carpet just hours prior to the game night. This year’s theme, which the producer helped lead with his fellow co-chairs, was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a tribute to “the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance and proliferation of the Black dandy,” according to Vogue.
In addition to helping host the gala, Williams — who is the men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton — assisted in curating many of the night’s looks, including those worn by Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, LISA of BLACKPINK, Future and more.
See photos from Williams’ post-Met Gala UNO party below.
Kim Kardashian, Ciara, La La Anthony and Kai Cenat
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PinkPantheress and Halle Bailey
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Future
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Megan Thee Stallion risked it all for the ‘gram. The Houston Hottie pulled up to the 2025 Met Gala on Monday night (May 5) and broke the event’s no-phone policy to post a video to social media of her sampling appetizers with Doechii and WNBA star Angel Reese. Thee Stallion went live from the “Hottie […]
