State Champ Radio

by DJ Frosty

Current track

Title

Artist

Current show

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm

Current show

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm


Music

Page: 291

Two decades since it took over the global charts, Shakira and Wyclef Jean have reunited up for a special anniversary performance of “Hips Don’t Lie” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Appearing on the Tuesday (May 6) episode with guests […]

Almost two years on from their last tour of the country, Big Thief will be hitting the road for a newly-announced run of North American dates.
Dubbed the Somersault Slide 360 Tour, the 20-date run of shows will launch in Sacramento, CA on Sept. 17 and traverse the U.S. and Mexico over the next two months before wrapping up in Houston, TX on Nov. 7. These dates also include a previously-announced performance at New York’s Forest Hills Stadium in October.

The band have, however, made an effort to assuage the fears of fans who may worry about missing them on the upcoming trek. “Somersault Slide 360 Tour will continue into 2026, and these shows that have just been announced are the first of more to come,” they explained. “Keep those antennas at a clear diagonal.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The tour will be Big Thief’s first run of American shows since 2023 when they were supporting their fifth album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, released the year prior. The record was their biggest commercial success to date, peaking at No. 31 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a Grammy nomination for best alternative album, and best alternative music performance for second single, “Certainty.”

Trending on Billboard

Big Thief released a pair of singles in 2023, and in July 2024, the group announced the departure of bassist Max Oleartchik, citing “interpersonal reasons” for his exit. In February, Big Thief also unveiled a new L.A. wildfires benefit EP, with Passional Relations collecting some of their “favorite unreleased songs” to aid relief for those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles.

In the time between studio releases, vocalist and guitarist Adrianne Lenker would release her Bright Future album in 2024, with recordings from the accompanying tour appearing on the recently-released Live at Revolution Hall album. On Friday (May 2), drummer James Krivchenia released the album Performing Belief.

Big Thief – 2025 Somersault Slide 360 Tour Dates

Sept. 17 – Channel 24, Sacramento, CASept. 19 – Edgefield, Troutdale, ORSept. 21 – Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical, Boise, IDSept. 22 – Twilight Concert Series, Salt Lake City, UTSept. 25 – The Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CASept. 27 – Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CASept. 28 – Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CAOct. 1 – Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City, MXOct. 20 – State Theatre, Portland, MEOct. 21 – MGM Music Hall, Boston, MAOct. 22 – The Met, Philadelphia, PAOct. 24 – The Anthem, Washington, DCOct. 25 – Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills, NYOct. 29 – Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NCOct. 30 – The Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GAOct. 31 – Saenger Theatre, New Orleans, LANov. 3 – Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OKNov. 4 – The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TXNov. 5 – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, Austin, TXNov. 7 – White Oak Music Hall Lawn, Houston, TX

Nathan Jerde, the drummer of Chicago indie-rock outfit The Ponys, has padded away, it has been confirmed.
News of Jerde’s passing was confirmed by the band on social media on Monday (May 5). “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we let you know our friend, our band mate, and our brother left this world today,” The Ponys wrote. 

“Nathan was an amazing drummer and possessed savant like art skills. Nathan loved goofing around, and had the sweetest of hearts. We traveled the world together. We ate amazing meals together and we met lifelong friends together. We fought like brothers sometimes, but we had so much f–king fun together. Nathan, we will miss you so much!”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Matador Records also expressed their “deepest condolences to all friends, family and bandmates of The Ponys’ Nathan Jerde,” with their sentiments echoed in a social post from In the Red Records, who issued The Ponys’ debut album.

Trending on Billboard

“We’re beyond sad to hear the news of the passing of Nathan Jerde of The Ponys,” In the Red’s post read. “He was an awesome guy and a fantastic drummer. To say he will be missed is an understatement.”

The Ponys were formed in Chicago in 2001 by vocalist and guitarist Jered Gunmere, who had previously performed with The Defilers and The Guilty Pleasures. Joined by girlfriend (and later, wife) Melissa Elias on bassist, the lineup was rounded out by Jerde, who was previously the drummer for The Mushuganas, and Ian Adams, who also comprised one half of Chicago duo Happy Supply, on guitar and keys.

The band released their debut album Laced with Romance in 2004 via In the Red, before teaming up with veteran producer and Electrical Audio founder Steve Albini, to record their follow-up, 2005’s Celebration Castle. The group would sign to Matador for their third album, with 2007’s Turn the Lights Out reaching No. 39 on the Heatseekers Albums chart that same year. 

The band would split in 2007, with members focusing on other projects. Jerde founded the group Mother of Tears and also joined Tyler Jon Tyler as bassist, before The Ponys regrouped for a series of shows throughout 2009 and 2010.

Jerde would continue working in the music industry, focusing on the artwork for bands such as Outer Minds, Mannequin Men, and Choke Chains in the ensuing years. The Ponys would reunite again in 2016 for a series of shows, though had not played live since the following year.

HipHopWired Featured Video

Over the past few weeks Kodak Black has been more consistent with the visual work he’s been dropping off on the regular, and with the summer steadily approaching it seems like he’s heating up himself as he continues to stay on his grind and come through a new joint that his fans will appreciate.

Dropping off some new visuals to “Mayhem,” Kodak Black shows viewers how he’s been living these days as he hops on private jets to get to his next destination while rocking some ridiculously iced out pieces while stunting on balconies and sipping on some soda. We’re just glad to see the man is okay after that health scare he had on IG live a few years back.

Back on the Left Coast, Hip-Hop OG Rass Kass shows he’s still got bars for decades and in his Apollo Brown assisted clip to “Humble Pi,” Rass and Apollo politic on the block to drop their music and remind us what Hip-Hop videos used to look like on the regular back in the 90’s.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Roc Marciano, Killah Priest and Solo Gemz, and more.

KODAK BLACK – “MAYHEM”

RASS KASS & APOLLO BROWN – “HUMBLE PI”

ROC MARCIANO – “PERIOD BLOOD”

KILLAH PRIEST FT. SOLO GEMZ – “THE WALKING LIFE”

ICEWEAR VEZZO FT. PEEZY – “MIDWEST CONNECT”

SKYWALKER – “AFRICANTHEARTIST”

K-TRAP – “ATTACK THE DAY”

BIG YBA – “SEX ME”

Ye (formerly Kanye West) joined Piers Morgan for another interview on Tuesday (May 6), but the combative chat was short-lived as West stormed off just minutes into the sit-down.
Within the first few seconds, things got contentious when Morgan called him “Ye West,” with Ye responding that he’s dropped West to lose his “slave name.”

“You see that view,” Yeezy said with a serene balcony view of the ocean off the Mallorca coast behind him. “Judge me by the view,” he said when asked how his life is “at the moment.”

Trending on Billboard

Morgan felt that reply was in “direct contrast” to the sentiments Ye has expressed with unhinged rants on X in recent months.

“I already disagree,” Ye cut off Morgan. “It’s not in contrast. It’s so many people and artists that are championing the idea of expressing who they really are and having to go through the war of being attacked by the banks and to still be here with this view, that’s the win.”

Right before things went off the rails, Ye was offended that Morgan got his follower count wrong on X. Morgan listed 32 million when the exact number is upward of 33.3 million at press time.

“You’re not gonna take inches off my di–, bro,” the Chicago native said. “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.”

The Uncensored host was taken aback, and then West stormed off. “This is what you get for now, we can circle back when you can count.”

Morgan called Ye a “sniveling little coward” and took out his frustrations on streamer Sneako, who was seated next to Ye during the interview. Morgan wanted to “hold Ye accountable,” and he pressed Sneako about standing next to Ye in recent months after the rapper had expressed antisemitic remarks and praised the likes of Hitler and Diddy.

Watch the full interview with Ye below.

Bebe Rexha is tired of people commenting on her body. The pop singer/songwriter clapped back on social media after Azealia Banks was trying to play Joan Rivers as she watched the 2025 Met Gala. “Sis gives me – hormonal birth control implant or something,” Banks tweeted on Monday night. “It’s giving Implanon/NuvaRing she needs removed […]

Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” improves its case as the early breakthrough R&B song of 2025 with a coronation on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart dated May 10. The track jumps 4-1 through an 18% increase in U.S. plays in the tracking week of April 25-May 1, according to Luminate, and wins the Greatest Gainer prize, awarded […]

David Oyelowo says he lost points with his children after not knowing who Doechii was. Sitting down for a chat on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday (May 5), Oyelowo spoke about his family, which includes his musician wife and his artistic children. However, while the British actor is very close with his family, but […]

Gloria Estefan’s “Raíces” lands atop Billboard’s Latin Airplay, Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts (dated May 10).
Having first led Latin Airplay with “Abriendo Puertas” in October 1995, Estefan boasts the longest span of reigning at No. 1: 29 years, six months and three weeks. She also becomes the seventh act to have topped the chart in the 1990s, 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s.

“To see ‘Raíces’ reach No. 1 across the Latin Airplay, Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts is both humbling and incredibly emotional for me,” Estefan tells Billboard. “It’s been over a decade since I’ve had a song connect on this level, and I’m beyond grateful.”

Trending on Billboard

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Estefan last reached the summit on Latin Airplay in 2012, when “Hotel Nacional” ruled for one week. Prior to that, she topped the list with “No Llores” for two weeks in 2007, marking her fifth No. 1 of the 2000s. She earned her first five leaders in the ‘90s (dating to the chart’s 1994 start).

“Personally, this song is a tribute to where I come from — to my heritage, my culture and the rhythms that shaped me,” Estefan adds of “Raíces” (which translates in English to “roots”). “Professionally, it’s a reminder that music truly has no expiration date when it comes from the heart, and to see Latin music elevated and crossing charts globally really is a dream come true and a testament to the growth of our culture and sound.”

“Raíces” makes its No. 1 breakthrough on Latin Airplay as the song soars 11-1 with the Greatest Gainer honors, awarded weekly to the song with the largest increase in audience among the chart’s 50 titles. It earned 13 million impressions, up 123%, in the week ending May 1, according to Luminate. “Raíces,” released on March 20 under Crescent Moon/Sony Music Latin, received substantial support from Spanish Broadcasting System radio stations during the latest tracking week, led by WZNT, WODA. WRXD and WMEG in Puerto Rico, as well as Miami’s WCMQ, Orlando’s WPYO and Tampa’s WSUN in Florida.

As Estefan achieves her 12th ruler on Latin Airplay, she secures her place among an elite group of artists who have logged at least one Latin Airplay chart-topper in four distinct decades. She becomes the third woman artist to achieve the feat, joining Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. The other such acts overall: Enrique Iglesias (who holds a record 32 No. 1 hits, spanning 1995-2024), Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Alejandro Fernández.

With “Raíces” also claiming the top spot on the Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts, it dons a rare triple crown, becoming the first title to top the three tallies since Carlos Vives and Camilo’s “Baloncito Viejo” held command across the June 18, 2022-dated rankings.

On Tropical Airplay, Estefan scores her first No. 1 since “Hotel Nacional” in 2012. On Latin Pop Airplay, she had last led with “No Me Dejes de Querer” in 2000.

Thanks almost entirely to its radio haul, “Raíces” makes its way to the Hot Latin Songs chart, where it debuts at No. 37. It’s her 31st entry, a total that includes 15 No. 1s among 23 top 10s.

“Thank you to the fans, radio and everyone who’s embraced ‘Raíces’,” Estefan says. “You’ve made this journey back to my musical roots so meaningful and unforgettable.”

Another year, another Met Gala, another Katy Perry deepfake.
For a second year in a row, an AI-generated photo falsely depicting the pop star as walking the event’s red carpet made the rounds on social media, tricking fans into thinking she was actually there — something Perry reacted to on Instagram.

Sharing a few of the faux images of herself seemingly at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City — complete with a sleek black dress that doesn’t actually exist, but nevertheless coincides with this year’s Met theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” thanks to the power of artificial intelligence — Perry wrote, “Couldn’t make it to the MET, I’m on The Lifetimes Tour (see you in Houston tomorrow IRL).”

“P.s. this year I was actually with my mom so she’s safe from the bots,” she added. “but I’m praying for the rest of y’all.”

The post comes one year after the same exact thing happened on the day of the 2024 Met Gala, when a fake photo of Perry — who, like this year, was not in attendance at last year’s event — similarly went viral online. That year’s AI-generated snap showed the “Firework” singer in a voluminous ballgown decked out with flowers, matching the 2024 theme of “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” — but again, the dress, much like Perry’s attendance at the past two Met Galas, was not real.

Trending on Billboard

That didn’t stop the former American Idol judge’s mom from falling for it last year. At the time, Perry shared a screenshot of a text from her mom that said, “Didn’t know you went to the Met … what a gorgeous gown,” to which the singer had replied, “Mom, the A.I. got you too, beware.”

Though Perry was not at the Met this year, countless other stars — from Rihanna to three-fourths of BLACKPINK, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter and more — were. Co-chaired by A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Colman Domingo, this year’s theme paid 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.

As Perry mentioned, she’s currently on the road in support of her 2024 album, 143. The Lifetimes Tour kicked off April 23 in Mexico City; she’s now gearing up for a U.S. leg starting Wednesday in Houston.