State Champ Radio Music
Page: 276
It was a 00XO party in the desert. The Weeknd kicked off his 2025 After Hours Til Dawn Tour on a balmy Friday night (May 9) with Playboi Carti at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The “Timeless” collaborators, alongside Mike Dean, are set to invade stadiums across North America throughout the summer, and it could be the singer’s final trek under his The Weeknd stage alias.
Glendale had the honor of batting lead-off on Friday before the tour takes a two-week break, which could be tied to Abel’s Hurry Up Tomorrow film arriving next week.
Playboi Carti isn’t your average tour opener, and King Vamp brought his star power to the stage at 8 p.m. PT. Carti ended up running through a tight 15-track set in about 45 minutes. The Atlanta native said it was his first time back in the Phoenix area since 2015, and he told the crowd it “feels good to be home.”
The “Magnolia” rapper was very engaged throughout the set and wasn’t shy about showing his appreciation for being on a stadium tour compared to his typical mysterious self. He’d come back for seconds during The Weeknd’s set to perform collabs like “Rather Lie” and “Timeless.”
The main event kicked off when Abel appeared flanked by red-hooded dancers with a haunting entrance just shy of 9:30 p.m. PT. Rocking a black Christian cordella with golden glitter splattered across, a masked Weeknd sent the sold-out State Farm Stadium into a frenzy with “The Abyss.”
“The first night’s always the best night,” the Canadian hitmaker said, much to the delight of the XO faithful. The stage boasts burning buildings around the city, which mirrors his 2022 tour, then the catwalk extends to a giant Sorayama statue that could double as a sexy Golden Globe Award. Side stages featuring neon-lit oval rings make Abel look like he’s performing in a clear tunnel during portions of the show.
Proving he’s still one of the 21st century’s premier live acts, Abel bounced around much of his decorated discography, outside of Kiss Land, while keeping the crowd in the palm of his hand throughout the two-hour set, which consisted of 37 tracks in total to feed even the most starved XO fan’s appetite.
Here’s every song that Playboi Carti and The Weeknd performed on night one of the 2025 After Hours Til Dawn Tour in Arizona.
Playboi Carti – “Evil J0rdan”
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Mental Health Support
Mexican star Alejandro Fernández announced that a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold on his ‘De Rey a Rey’ U.S. and Canada tour will be donated to Backline, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health and wellness support for music industry professionals and their families. According to a press release issued by Live Nation, who is behind this upcoming tour, this partnership will “specifically help expand Backline’s services and reach within the Latino music community—an area often underserved by mental health resources.”
The ‘De Rey a Rey’ Tour is tribute to Fernández’s iconic father, Vicente Fernández. The stint kicks off this Saturday, May 10 at Seattle’s WAMU Theater at Lumen Field. See the dates here.
Grupo Frontera Makes Special Visit
Some of the members of Grupo Frontera made a special visit to fan Perla Leyla, a 7 year old girl fighting cancer. Beto and Payo arrived to the hospital with flowers and spent time with Leyla, taking selfies, dancing and FaceTiming other Grupo Frontera members. “Thank you for this beautiful surprise,” she captioned the sweet video posted on Instagram.
Jay Wheeler Honors Mom
A new song for mom. Puerto Rican star Jay Wheeler unveiled “Mejor Que Tú” — which replaced “Track Loading” on his album Girasoles. The previously-hidden track on his eighth studio LP honors the dedication, guidance, and perseverance of the woman who inspired him to become the man he is today.
“‘Mejor Que Tú’ is personally one of three very special tracks on this album,” Wheeler said in a statement. “It’s a very special song dedicated to my mom. To me, my mom has always been a true warrior and someone whom I’ve always admired. Although I admire many members of my family, I feel that my mom represents what I am today — the strength, values, and the love I possess and project today, is because of her.”
Karol G Celebrates Mañana Fue Muy Bonito
Karol G’s new documentary, Tomorrow Was Beautiful, is the culmination of her history, making, record-setting Mañana Será Bonito stadium tour. Now streaming on Netflix, the doc gives insight into the challenges the Colombian star faced along the way. “The tearjerking film brings together key moments from her life and career while highlighting her deep bond with her family, who have always provided her unwavering support,” Billboard Español‘s Isabela Raygoza wrote.
“Watching the documentary gave me the chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve had as a person— in the way I think, and even changes physically,” Karol told Billboard Español. “I feel like it all started when I had blue hair, and then came the whole process with red hair, blonde hair and finally pink hair. I can see how my mindset evolved, how my sense of responsibility and commitment to my fans grew, and even how I view myself physically. I also feel that the beautiful kind of self-love you start to develop begins to blossom and becomes more noticeable.”
Read all about Tomorrow Was Beautiful here.
Following a star-studded 60th annual Academy of Country Music awards in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 8 – at which Jelly Roll was up for three trophies while Post Malone was competing in four categories – the pair got back to business on their Big Ass Stadium tour with a stop in Arlington, Texas’s AT&T Stadium, just outside of Dallas. But, most importantly, the stop was just a 20-minute drive south from Post’s hometown of Grapevine (where, as a young kid, he and his family moved to from Syracuse).
And while Posty’s love for his hometown runs deep, his love for the Dallas Cowboys runs deeper. Post even welcomed his dad onstage, telling the crowd how he worked at the Cowboys’ current and former stadium for a total of 14 years. To which Post’s dad said: “Let’s go Cowboys!”
Following a rousing opening set from Sierra Ferrell, it was Jelly Roll’s turn to warm up the sold-out stadium. “Y’all, get ready for your hometown hero,” Jelly repeated throughout his own set, hyping up his pal Posty throughout his hour-long performance.
By the time Post took the stage, emotions were already running high. He took a moment to tell the crowd he’ll be 30 this July, and that the milestone birthday has had him feeling reflective of late. “I’m the most grateful mother f—er on the face of this planet,” he said, speaking of his decade-long career. “You have given me the strength to keep going.”
He later said that though this was only the fourth show on his Big Ass Stadium Tour, “so far this has been the most beautiful experience of my life, ladies and gentlemen.” And for many in the crowd, the same was surely true for them. During “Goodbyes,” one fan even offered Posty a bouquet of flowers, which he happily reached for and cradled as he walked down the stage.
“I’m having the fucking time of my life,” he said, with a Texas-sized grin. “Seriously.”
Below are the best moments from his hometown show.
Sierra Ferrell’s Very Special Guest
Volbeat tops Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with “By a Monster’s Hand,” which rises a spot to No. 1 on the May 17-dated list.
The tune reigns as Volbeat’s 11th ruler on Mainstream Rock Airplay and first since “Shotgun Blues” led for three weeks beginning in December 2021.
With 11 leaders, Volbeat ties for the 10th-most No. 1s in the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart’s 44-year history.
Most No. 1s, Mainstream Rock Airplay:20, Shinedown18, Three Days Grace15, Five Finger Death Punch14, Foo Fighters14, Metallica13, Disturbed13, Godsmack13, Van Halen12, Linkin Park11, Papa Roach11, Volbeat
Volbeat first led Mainstream Rock Airplay in July 2012, for two weeks, with “Still Counting.” In between the commands of “Shotgun Blues” and “By a Monster’s Hand,” the band reached the chart twice, led by a No. 8 peak for “Temple of Ekur” in 2022.
Concurrently, “By a Monster’s Hand” remains at its No. 7 high on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 2.8 million audience impressions in the week ending May 8, according to Luminate.
On the most recently published multimetric Hot Hard Rock Songs chart (dated May 10, reflecting data from April 25 through May 1), “By a Monster’s Hand” ranked at No. 25, after reaching No. 10 in March. In addition to its radio airplay, the song earned 403,000 official U.S. streams.
“By a Monster’s Hand” is the lead single from Gods of Angels Trust, Volbeat’s ninth studio album, due June 6. Its predecessor, Servant of the Mind, debuted at No. 2 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart in December 2021 and has earned 133,000 equivalent album units to date.
All Billboard charts dated May 17 will update on Billboard.com on Tuesday, May 13.
Jackson Wang spilled the tea exclusively to Billboard News on his upcoming album MAGIC MAN 2, hitting the stage with Ciara at Coachella and more in a new interview on Friday (May 9). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Speaking to Billboard‘s Tetris Kelly, the K-pop idol […]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Bernard Beanz Smalls / Bernard Beanz Smalls,
As of late Jim Jones has been on a mission to show and prove that he’s one of the hardest working rappers in the game today. Following the release of his latest album, At The Church Steps, he’s really driving that point home as he’s been dropping off new videos on the regular.
Keeping that same energy of 2025 going, Jones comes through with some new Lyrivelli-assisted visuals to “Civil Rights” where Jones heads down to Atlanta to take in the nightlife and visits Magic City with his peoples where they make it rain on the thick talent before heading to the studio to lay down their vocals. We low-key thought with a title like “Civil Rights” Jim Jones was going to be spitting some activist bars. Just sayin’.
Redman meanwhile adds another installment to one of his classic rap series and for his clip to the Melanie Rutherford- featured “Soopaman Luva 7,” Reggie Nobel gets animated (literally) as he spits an entertaining story about his latest sexual conquest (LOL).
Check out the rest of today’s drops, including work from Too $hort featuring Larry June and Bosslife Big Spence, Umi and 6lack, and more.
JIM JONES FT. LYVRIVELLI – “CIVIL RIGHTS”
REDMAN FT. MELANIE RUTHERFORD – “SOOPAMAN LUVA 7”
TOO $HORT FT. LARRY JUNE & BOSSLIFE BIG SPENCE – “PIMPIN LIKE KENNY RED”
UMI & 6LACK – “HARD TRUTHS”
MAXO KREAM & DENZEL CURRY – “TRIGGAMAN”
FETTY WAP – “FOREVER”
RUSS – “CRAZY”
ESTELLE FT. LARUSSELL & KEYON HARROLD – “NEW DIRECTION”
Jelly Roll gave fans a heartfelt update on his efforts to have a baby with wife Bunnie Xo through IVF on Thursday night (May 8). “We’re right in the middle of the journey,” the country star told Access Hollywood on the red carpet for the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards. “For all of our […]
No matter how many hit songs Halsey writes, she might never live down singing Blink-182 at her local mall.
The pop star reflected on the viral video from their teenage years, affectionately dubbed “Mallsey” by fans, during a Friday (May 9) appearance on Owen Thiele’s In Your Dreams podcast.
“Word of caution to those seeking virality is that, when you’re trying anything hoping one thing will go, you don’t get to decide what that one thing is,” Halsey said on the podcast. “And that one thing might define you forever.”
Halsey went on to suggest one of those things in her own career will likely be her No. 1 single “Without Me,” which she still counts as “one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.” However, the musician also quickly pointed out, “I sang at the mall once when I was a kid and everyone will remember that until I die, probably.”
The nonbinary pop star then went on to explain the context of the “Mallsey” clip, saying, “Here’s the thing that sucks about it, right? Is that I was starting to get really popular on Tumblr, and this was the time where everyone was doing meet-ups. … You didn’t have to do anything, you didn’t have to have a talent. It didn’t matter. You were just big on the internet.”
So at the suggestion of several Tumblr users, Halsey decided to host their very first impromptu meet-up at Pennsylvania’s King of Prussia Mall. “I went and met all these fans,” the singer continued. “It was the first time I’d ever met a fan before, and they were like, ‘Will you sing?’ and I was like, I never sang outside of my bedroom before.”
Put on the spot, she bravely launched into an a cappella cover of Blink-182’s 2004 classic “I Miss You” — complete with Tom DeLonge’s unforgettable vocal affectations — which was captured on camera by a fan and the rest, as they say, is Internet history.
Elsewhere during the interview, Halsey confirmed they’re in the process of working on new music that will serve as a follow-up to 2024’s The Great Impersonator, and also dished on her mom’s hilarious reaction to her early Tumblr-era fame.
Meanwhile Halsey just teamed up with Evanescence singer Amy Lee for their new collaborative single “Hand That Feeds“
Watch Halsey’s full chat on In Your Dreams below.
On Thursday, the Catholic Church elected a new pope after a two-day conclave in Rome. But while only 133 cardinals from across the globe were able to participate in the decision to make Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago the first-ever American pope history has ever seen, anyone can participate in another vote that’s happening this […]
This summer, Lorde will finally deliver what fans are sure is going to be an immaculate conception: Virgin, her long-awaited fourth studio album. As revealed April 30, the New Zealander’s next LP is set to arrive soon via Universal Music New Zealand and Republic Records, bringing an end to a four-year album drought during which […]
