State Champ Radio Music
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As attacks on reproductive freedom continue to rise in the United States, more than 250 public figures — including Harry Styles, Megan Thee Stallion and Olivia Rodrigo — have banded together to throw their support behind Planned Parenthood.
In a letter published as a full-page ad in The New York Times Wednesday (May 21), the British pop star, Houston rapper and “Vampire” singer were just three of the hundreds of musicians, actors, designers, athletes and influencers who signed their names next to the statement “I’m for Planned Parenthood.” Addison Rae, Chelsea Cutler, Clairo, Cyndi Lauper, Del Water Gap, Gracie Abrams, Jack Antonoff, Jason Isbell, King Princess, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Maggie Rogers were also among the musicians who endorsed the message, as were Meghan Trainor, Phoebe Bridgers, Rebecca Black, R.E.M., Remi Wolf, Sara Bareilles, Sharon Van Etten, Sheryl Crow, Soccer Mommy, St. Vincent, Stevie Nicks and Tegan and Sara.
In addition to aligning themselves with the nonprofit by adding their names, signatories also acknowledged that “Americans are losing more of our freedom to decide how we live our own lives” with their signatures. “1 in 4 people in the U.S. have been to a Planned Parenthood health center for care: birth control, cancer screenings, wellness exams, STI testing and treatment, abortion, gender affirming care and more,” continues a message accompanying the letter on Planned Parenthood’s website. “I’m for you and me — not the government — deciding what care we need and where we can go to get it.”
Other stars who signed include actors Pedro Pascal, Mikey Madison, Scarlett Johansson, Christina Ricci, Ellen Pompeo, Laura Dern, Melissa McCarthy, Laverne Cox and Natasha Lyonne, as well as Jimmy Kimmel, Karlie Kloss, Shonda Rhimes, Gloria Steinem, Trixie Mattel, Sofia Coppola and Cara Delevigne. Visitors have the option of adding their name to the list of supporters online.
“Every day, Planned Parenthood health center staff open the doors of health centers to ensure patients — no matter who they are — can get access to the essential health care they need,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in a statement. “Planned Parenthood health centers play an irreplaceable role in our health system. I applaud these cultural changemakers and everyone across the country who have said, loud and clear: I’m for Planned Parenthood.”
The letter comes as reproductive rights are more at risk now than they’ve been in decades. Since re-entering the White House in January for his second term — two and a half years after Roe v. Wade was overturned — President Donald Trump’s administration has enacted a number of policies restricting access to reproductive healthcare, cutting public health programs centered around reproductive healthcare and removing legal protections for reproductive healthcare clinics and providers, all within his first 100 days in office, according to a report by the Center for Reproductive Rights.
It also comes about a month after Planned Parenthood rallied support while honoring Rodrigo at its 2025 Spring Into Action Gala in New York City on April 24. After accepting the Catalyst of Change Award presented by Lily Allen — who also signed Monday’s letter — the “Drivers License” musician delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of the organization’s work.
“When I play shows, I look out at crowds filled with young girls, and the bond I feel with them is profound,” she said at the event. “We live in a world that politicizes our bodies and uses harmful ideologies to deny us safety and healthcare, and it breaks my heart to think that, because of oppressive laws and outdated policies, some of those girls may not get to follow their dreams the way I was able to follow mine.”
She added at the time, “My greatest wish is that through organizations like Planned Parenthood and the action of everyday citizens, no woman will need to sacrifice her dreams, her health or humanity because of restrictive laws or lack of resources.”
See the list of people who signed the letter supporting Planned Parenthood below:
05/21/2025
Here’s everything that’s happened in the exploding feud between Joey and the West.
05/21/2025
Rod Wave (born Rodarius Green) was arrested on Tuesday (May 20) in Georgia and booked into Fulton County Jail on aggravated assault and possession of a firearm charges. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news According to jail records viewed by Billboard, he was hit with 12 additional […]
A London judge has released Chris Brown on bail in the amount of $6.7 million on Wednesday (May 21), according to Reuters. The “Forever” singer also has to surrender his passport when not traveling for his upcoming Breezy Bowl XX Tour in North American and Europe, which is scheduled to kick off June 8. According […]
Forrest Frank’s Child of God II arrives at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart (dated May 24). Released May 9, the 20-song set earned 33,000 equivalent album units in the United States in the week ending May 15, according to Luminate.
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Frank adds his second Top Christian Albums No. 1, as Child of God II dethrones his Child of God after 35 weeks on top beginning last August (the third-most weeks at No. 1 among all titles this decade).
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Concurrently, “Your Way’s Better,” which is on the deluxe version Child of God and the new Child of God II, ascends a spot to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs, where it’s Frank’s first leader. The track, which the Fulshear, Texas, native and Pera Krstajic co-wrote, drew 7.9 million official U.S. streams (up 3%) and likewise lifts 2-1 on Christian Streaming Songs, also marking Frank’s first No. 1. Plus, track sold 2,000 downloads. On Christian Airplay, it climbs 22-19 for a new best (1.1 million audience impressions, up 29%).
The single, which went viral on TikTok, previously became Frank’s first solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Notably, Frank is the first artist to lead Top Christian Albums and Hot Christian Songs simultaneously since Brandon Lake on the Nov. 4, 2023, charts. That week, his Coat of Many Colors blasted in at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums as “Praise You Anywhere” rose to the summit on Hot Christian Songs.
Concurrently, Child of God II enters the all-genre Billboard 200 at No. 12, bestowing Frank with his highest rank. Child of God, his lone prior entry, arrived at its No. 28 peak last August.
Grammy-winning artist Ciara, stylist and creative director June Ambrose, and music executives Phylicia Fant and Sylvia Rhone will be honored on Tuesday (June 3) at the inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner. The event, which honors Black women “for their contributions to music and for shaping popular culture,” will be held at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles. The event was originally set for Jan. 28 but was rescheduled due to the L.A. wildfires, which devastated the region in January.
The Black Women in Music Dinner will serve as The Connie Orlando Foundation’s first fundraiser focused on supporting breast cancer awareness and research. By raising funds and driving attention to this critical cause, the foundation aims to empower women with the knowledge, resources and support they need to fight breast cancer and improve health outcomes.
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“Black women in music continue to be a transcendent and driving force of creative expression, shaping the musical landscape and enriching diverse cultures worldwide,” said Orlando, founder of The Connie Orlando Foundation, in a statement. “Their contributions are not just transformative; they are the heartbeat of innovation and culture. It is an immense honor to celebrate the trailblazing careers of Ciara, June Ambrose, Phylicia Fant, Sylvia Rhone, DJ Kiss, and Flo Ngala at our inaugural event. These powerful women come from diverse paths, yet they share a unified commitment to pushing boundaries and sparking meaningful change across the music industry.
“As we embark on this momentous journey to celebrate Black women in all their brilliance and as ‘guards’ of an ever-evolving industry, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of HarbourView Equity Partners as our founding partner, and Sherrese Clarke, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing this mission to life.”
In addition to being the founder of the foundation that bears her name, Orlando is the executive vp of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET. She is serving as executive producer of the 2025 BET Awards, set for June 9.
Here’s a closer look at the 2025 Black Women in Music Dinner honorees:
Ciara, a singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, will receive the Avant-Garde Award, recognizing her artistry and influence. Ciara topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004 with “Goodies” featuring Petey Pablo, topped the Billboard 200 in 2006 with Ciara: The Evolution and won a Grammy in 2006 for best short form music video for “Lose Control.”
June Ambrose, a creative director, costume designer and entrepreneur, will receive the Guardian of Vision Award. Ambrose is best known for styling prominent hip-hop and R&B artists, such as Missy Elliott and Jay-Z, in high-fashion pieces. Ambrose has designed for more than 200 music videos; published a book, Effortless Style, in 2006; and was hired at Puma in 2020.
Phylicia Fant will receive The New Guard Award, celebrating her role as a transformative leader. Fant is the head of music industry partnerships at Amazon Music and the former head of urban music at Columbia Records. She is also the founder/CEO of The Purple Agency, a public relations and marketing agency.
Sylvia Rhone, a trailblazing music industry veteran and the first Black woman to lead a major label, will receive the Vanguard Award. Rhone is the chair/CEO of Epic Records. Rhone previously served in senior positions at Universal Motown, Elektra Entertainment Group and Atlantic Records.
DJ Kiss, media personality and influencer, and Flo Ngala, editorial photographer and photojournalist, will be honored with The Guardian Angel Spotlights. This award recognizes individuals who serve as messengers, protectors and guides within the music industry, driving both artistic and commercial success.
H.E.R. was initially slated to be one of this year’s honorees, but that changed in the rescheduling, with Ciara now being honored instead.
Additional program details, including host, performers and presenters, will be announced at a later date.
If it seems as if Jennifer Lopez has been a part of the American Music Awards for decades, well, she has. Lopez was just 21 in 1991 when she made her AMAs debut as a dancer behind New Kids on the Block. She first performed on the show as a star attraction in 2001. She […]
Michael B. Tretow, the pioneering Swedish sound engineer who helped craft the signature sonic identity of ABBA, has died at age 80.
His wife and son confirmed the news to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, with the band’s longtime manager Görel Hanser also confirming his passing. A cause of death has not been made public.
Best known for his studio wizardry, Tretow was often referred to by fans as the unofficial “fifth member” of ABBA for his indispensable role in shaping the band’s groundbreaking sound.
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He worked on every one of ABBA’s albums throughout their imperial phase, from 1973’s Ring Ring through to 1981’s The Visitors, and co-owned the group’s label, Polar Music. Notably, he was not involved in the group’s 2021 reunion album, Voyage.
”You meant more to us four in ABBA than anyone else,” Andersson told Aftonbladet. “I hope and believe that you felt it throughout all the years that have passed since we worked (and continuously laughed) in the studio. Our music lives on, it seems, and you are the one who made it timeless.”
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“You were a fantastic inspirer and joy-maker, and the finest sound engineer the world has ever seen,” he said, adding: “I miss you. And I’ve saved all your coconuts!”
Björn Ulvaeus added that Tretow’s significance “cannot be overestimated,” remembering him as “a warm, generous person and a good friend.”
Anni-Frid Lyngstad said, “No one fit the bill as well as you. For us, you are forever part of the ABBA sound and you will never be forgotten.”
Agnetha Fältskog reflected on their final moments together: “So glad I got to spend some time with you a few weeks ago… You were so sick, but your laughter and humor were still there. So many memories are preserved, your encouraging words during the recordings meant so much. We are sad now, a talented and unique person has left us. Sleep well Micke, you are in our hearts forever.”
Tretow is survived by his wife and son.
Robbie Williams is looking to hark back to “a golden age for British music” with his newly-announced LP Britpop, slated to land this autumn.
The album, which the singer says was inspired by the iconic musical era of the same name and the bands who defined it (Oasis, Blur, Pulp et al), will arrive via Columbia Records. It will mark Williams’ 13th solo full-length effort to date, and his first of non-festive original songs since 2016’s The Heavy Entertainment Show. A release date is due to be confirmed soon.“I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995,” he said in a statement. “It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British Music. I’ve worked with some of my heroes on this album; it’s raw, there are more guitars and it’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual.“There’s some ‘Brit’ in there and there’s certainly some ‘pop’ too – I’m immensely proud of this as a body of work and I’m excited for fans to hear this album.”
The news coincides with the release of the album’s blistering lead single, “Rocket,” which features Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi on guitar. Its accompanying music video is set to drop this Friday (May 23), though a press release states that it will feature scenes of Williams and Iommi together in the latter’s hometown of Birmingham.
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Williams will support Britpop with an extensive U.K. and European headline tour this summer, which features two nights at London’s 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium (June 6-7). Support will come from Warrington rock band The Lottery Winners, as well as Rag ‘N’ Bone Man on select dates.
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The artwork for Britpop, meanwhile, nods to one of Williams’ most iconic looks: the red tracksuit worn to Glastonbury Festival in 1995 when he partied with Oasis at the height of the Britpop era. He had departed boyband Take That shortly before this time, in order to pursue a solo career. It also features an illustration of two demonstrators in ‘Just Stop Pop’ t-shirts defacing the image, in the style of protest group Just Stop Oil.
In January, Williams secured a huge milestone on the U.K. Album Charts. Better Man, the soundtrack to his recent biopic of the same name, gave the pop icon his 15th No. 1 album, seeing him move ahead of The Rolling Stones (14) in the all-time rankings. He is now tied with The Beatles at 15 for the most ever.
The Voice wrapped its 27th season on Tuesday night (May 20) with a high-energy, emotional finale that crowned Adam David as this season’s champion.
Representing Team Michael Bublé, the Florida-based singer emerged victorious after a week of standout performances, beating out finalists from teams helmed by Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend and Adam Levine.
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David’s win marks Bublé’s second straight coaching victory, following his Season 26 triumph with Sofronio Vasquez. This season, the 34-year-old singer captivated both the coaches and audiences with powerhouse vocals, ultimately sealing his place as the Season 27 winner thanks to America’s vote.
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Before the results were revealed, Bublé took a moment to share his admiration for his finalist on air. “I love you, man,” he told David. “You’re my kind of artist. I love my sister and she wrote me this morning and she said, ‘You tell me when Adam David puts his tickets on sale ’cause I need to go see that show.’” The Canadian crooner added: “Congratulations, I knew you could do it.”
Jaelen Johnston from Team Kelsea followed David in second place, RENZO from Team Legend in third, Lucia Flores-Wiseman from Team Adam in fourth, and Jadyn Cree (also from Team Bublé) in fifth.
During the finale, each coach joined their finalist for a special duet. Team Legend’s Renzo kicked things off with a performance of Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” while Kelsea Ballerini and Jaelen Johnston delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Whiskey Lullaby,” originally by Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley.
Michael Bublé teamed up with Adam David for a stirring cover of The Band’s classic “The Weight,” and Adam Levine joined Lucia Flores-Wiseman on a moving take of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Bublé then returned to the stage with his second finalist, Jadyn Cree, for a charming duet of Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe.”
The finale also welcomed Kelly Clarkson (debuting new single “Where Have You Been”), Blake Shelton (“Texas”), Alicia Keys with Amanda Reid, Chance the Rapper, Joe Jonas, Sheryl Crow, James Bay, Foreigner and Season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood.
NBC has confirmed that The Voice will return for Season 28 in September, airing Monday nights at 8 p.m. with Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg all returning to the red chairs.
Adam David now joins the ranks of past winners like Cassadee Pope, Jordan Smith, and Bryce Leatherwood and with his victory, continues The Voice’s legacy of elevating fresh talent into the spotlight.
