State Champ Radio Music
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Lady Gaga knew from the very beginning of her relationship with Michael Polansky that their romance was anything but shallow.
In an interview with The New York Times published Saturday (March 8) — one day after the pop star’s new album Mayhem arrived — Gaga recalled how she knew from the jump that her now-fiancé’s feelings for her were “genuine,” as opposed to the people before him who had ulterior motives in pursuing someone as famous as her.
“From the moment that I met Michael, he had the most warm and kind disposition of maybe anyone that I had met in my whole life,” she told the publication of the tech entrepreneur. “Yes, he was impressive, but the thing I cared about the most was he wanted to know about my family.”
At that point the 14-time Grammy winner apologized for tearing up before continuing. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I knew Michael was genuine because he wanted to be my friend,” she gushed. “He didn’t want to do any of the things that the other people wanted to do. He wanted to take walks with me. He took me rock climbing. I also have a pain condition, but he had this belief that I could get better, and he inspired me to have more hope about it.”
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Gaga and Polansky first met in 2019 and got engaged in 2024. The “Disease” singer has been open about how their relationship has reshaped her life, music included; the businessman was initially the person who encouraged her to return to her dance-pop roots on Mayhem, and he’s credited as a songwriter on many of the album’s tracks.
“We do a lot together,” she told Good Morning America in a March 7 interview. “He includes me in his business as well. He’s really creative, he plays guitar — he’s like a beautiful musician. We have a really creative relationship.”
In the same interview, Gaga also opened up about how she wants “marriage and kids” with Polansky “more than anything.” “We’d been talking for, like, three weeks on the phone every single day just getting to know each other, and Michael flew to Vegas when I was doing my show to take me on our first date,” she recalled. “And before we even sat down, I said, ‘Do you want marriage and kids?’ And he goes, ‘Yeah I do.’ And I said, ‘Yeah OK, great. Do you want some champagne?’”
While speaking to NYT, Gaga added that the authenticity of her connection with Polansky is a “new world for me.” “It’s not a good feeling to have so much trouble making friends,” she said. “Being actually friends with somebody is a very specific thing. You can sit in a room together and not talk. You can take long walks and talk about your family. You can obsess over a new recipe and make it. I don’t think it should be transactional, but I was around a lot of that all the time. So it’s a big blessing that I met someone that was not like that.”
There were some celebrities that were just a little too hot at Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour. The pop superstar brought the run to London’s O2 Arena over the weekend, where she continued her popular onstage bit that occurs right before she performs her frisky hit, “Juno.” During the gimmick, she and her dancers […]
Rihanna is staying unbothered, even after one critic said something negative about her sons RZA and Riot Rose.
More specifically, the person in question came for the two boys’ names. On a recent The Shade Room Instagram post about how the Fenty mogul recently shared rare photos from each time she gave birth, the commenter wrote, “I hate their names so bad.”
Suffice to say, Ri saw the remark — but she quickly shrugged it off. “@tatianagalaxxy ok tatiana,” she simply commented on Sunday.
The “Umbrella” singer’s succinct shutdown comes one day after she commemorated International Women’s Day by posting pictures on Instagram from the births of her two boys. Both snaps — taken a little over a year apart — find Rihanna lying in hospital beds holding each newborn in her arms.
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“by far the most powerful thing I’ve ever done as a woman…my little miracles!” she wrote at the time. “And yes I gave birth in pearls and sunglasses…don’t ask, a lot was happening.”
The nine-time Grammy winner welcomed RZA with A$AP Rocky in May 2022, followed by Riot in August the following year. The couple didn’t reveal their firstborn’s name until his first birthday in 2023, confirming at the time that it was directly inspired by the three-letter moniker of the Wu-Tang Clan frontman.
And according to Ri’s February cover story interview with Harper’s Bazaar, their youngest son’s name was suggested to the parents by Pharrell Williams. “He gave us this name thinking it was going to be a girl, because he had seen something online,” the billionaire told the publication. “Pharrell is very deep. He’s not surface.”
In the same interview, Rihanna also opened up about her two boys’ different personalities. “RZA is just an empath,” she said at the time. “He’s so magical. He loves music. He loves melody. He loves books. He loves water. Bath time, swimming, pool, beach, anything.”
“And Riot, he’s just hilarious,” she continued. “When he wakes up, he starts to squeal, scream. Not in a crying way. He just wants to sing. And I’m like, ‘OK, here we go!’ He’s my alarm in the morning! He’s not taking no for an answer from anyone.”
DDG has aired out the visitation issues he’s apparently experiencing with Halle Bailey over their son, Halo, which he discussed in a new song titled “Don’t Take My Son.” The rapper released the Cash Cobain-produced track on Saturday (March 8), when he addressed the alleged problems surrounding the custody of his one-year-old son. “Don’t take […]
No matter how large or small the venue, you never know who will show up to a concert in Music City.
On Sunday evening (March 9), rapper Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance at Nashville music venue Losers Bar & Grill. The 16-time Grammy-nominated entertainer treated the audience in the 500-capacity venue to a rendition of his 1994-released song “Gin and Juice.”
Country singer-songwriter Ernest was among those who joined Snoop during the evening, and shared photos from the performance over the weekend. The two entertainers have previously collaborated on an as-yet-unreleased song called “Gettin’ Done,” which Ernest performed during a show in Nashville last month.
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“SNOOP X DEVILLE,” the country artist captioned his carousel of photos with the rapper.
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The venue also shared a clip of Snoop’s performance on Instagram, captioning the video on Monday (March 10): “You never know who might hop up on stage. This Life Ain’t For Everybody! @snoopdogg #LosersWin”
This is just Snoop Dogg’s most recent appearance in Nashville. In November, he joined Jelly Roll on stage during the “Son of a Sinner” singer’s headlining show at Bridgestone Arena, where the two traded verses on “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and collaborated on a song inspired by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
During his career, Snoop Dogg earned three Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, including 2004’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot” with Pharrell, as well as a feature on the 2006 Akon hit “I Wanna Love You” and the 2010 Katy Perry hit “California Gurls.” Snoop Dogg (initially known as Snoop Doggy Dogg) first gained prominence through his collaborations with Dr. Dre, including “Deep Cover” and his contributions to Dr. Dre’s groundbreaking 1992 album, The Chronic. Snoop made his solo studio debut on his 1993 album Doggystyle, which set the stage for further hit albums, including The Doggfather. Along the way, he notched numerous hits including “What’s My Name?,” “Gin and Juice” and “Still a G Thang,” and later teaming with Pharrell for songs including “Beautiful” (with Charlie Wilson) and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
Ernest, a longtime friend of Jelly Roll, is known for his work writing hits including the “Save Me” singer’s “Son of a Sinner,” the Morgan Wallen/Post Malone hit “I Had Some Help” and Wallen’s “You Proof,” “Wasted on You” and “More Than My Hometown,” among others. Ernest earned a No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hit with the collaboration “Cowgirls” (with Wallen).
Celine Dion is speaking out against artificial intelligence-generated music that is using her likeness.
The legendary vocalist took to Instagram on Friday (March 7) to share a statement, writing, “It has come to our attention that unsanctioned, AI-generated music purporting to contain Celine Dion’s musical performances, and name and likeness, is currently circulating online and across various Digital Service Providers.”
The statement continued, “Please be advised that these recordings are fake and not approved, and are not songs from her official discography.”
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However, Dion did not indicate exactly which AI-generated songs or performances have been circulating. See her post here.
Dion recently made her long-awaited return to the stage last year, performing Édith Piaf’s 1950 classic “Hymne à L’Amour” on the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony in July. The event came after she cancelled the dates on her North American Courage world tour before revealing she is fighting Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle spasms. Accompanied by a piano and rocking a stunning white gown, the singer delivered her effortlessly flawless vocals as she belted the lyrics to the song, which translates to “The Hymn of Love.”
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“I haven’t fought the illness; it’s still within me and will be forever,” she told Vogue France early last year, noting that she follows athletic, physical and vocal therapy five times a week. “Hopefully, we’ll find a miracle, a way to heal through scientific research, but I have to learn to live with it. I work on everything, from my toes to my knees, calves, fingers, singing, voice… It’s the condition I have to learn to live with now, by stopping questioning myself.”
She concluded, “There is one thing that will never stop, and that’s the desire. It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination.”
The sun is sticking around a bit longer, the temperatures are rising bit by bit — it looks like spring really is on the way! It’s been a relatively quiet March so far after a particularly jam-packed February, but if anyone is keeping up that momentum, it’s Doechii.
On Monday (March 10), Billboard named the Grammy-winning Tampa MC its 2025 Woman of the Year, making her the first female rapper to earn the honor since Cardi B in 2020. Over the weekend (March 8) — after getting stamps of approval from fashion giants Anna Wintour and Thom Browne during Paris Fashion Week — Doechii collected an incomparable co-sign. Ms. Lauryn Hill brought the “Denial Is A River” rapper to the stage for a joint performance of her 1998 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” during her her headlining set at the Jazz in the Gardens Festival.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Madison McFerrin’s house-soul banger to GELO’s GloRilla-assisted “Tweaker” follow-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Madison McFerrin, “Ain’t It Nice”
SanFran multihyphenate and daughter of jazz legend Bobby McFerrin, Madison McFerrin is ready to begin a new era. “Ain’t It Nice,” a sleek house-infused soul track that explores the allure of new infatuation across a swirling mixture of groovy drum loops and twinkling synths, finds McFerrin flaunting her intimate understanding of vocal dynamics and pacing. Instead of immediately firing off the chesty belts that house often evokes, McFerrin opts for soft coos and lush background harmonies — like the ones in the bridge — that eventually help her sneak into the rafters of her range by the song’s close. — KYLE DENIS
GELO & GloRilla, “Can You Please”
GELO recruited his “Memphis twin” GloRilla for his “Tweaker” follow-up with “Can You Please,” who continues to shred every track she lends a guest verse to. The middle Ball brother is now 2/2 with a meteoric start to his rap career. “Tweaker” set the bar high with his top 40 debut hit and GELO continues his 2000s New Orleans rap pastiche run. It remains to be seen if “Can You Please” will match the virality that “Tweaker” hand to earn GELO the first rap hit of 2025. Next up, he’ll be taking his talents to the festival stage with his Rolling Loud performance debut in California next weekend. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Aaron Page, “Pretty Girls Like R&B”
Houston-based R&B singer Aaron Page channels smooth nostalgia and modern romance on his latest track, “Pretty Girls Like R&B.” The song thrives on a mix of passion, devotion, and material flexing, with Page weaving through memories of late-night connections and heartfelt gestures. “Wanna vibe with you like Jodeci love,” he croons, setting the tone with a nod to the ‘90s R&B icons known for their raw, sensual love songs.
Beyond the allure of attraction, Page reflects on moments of intimacy like holding her hair when she was sick and proving his loyalty through lavish gestures (“Brought the Maybach out to Kamp for you”). His reference to Drake’s Take Care signals an openness to emotional depth, evoking the vulnerability that made Drizzy’s 2011 album a staple for lovers and heartbreakers alike. “Pretty Girls Like R&B” taps into the kind of love story that resonates with those who cherish both old-school romance and modern-day ambition. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
Curren$y & Harry Fraud feat. Wiz Khalifa, “Airport Industries”
What year is it? Did we wake up and go back in time to the Blog Era? While Curren$y has stayed consistent when it comes to dropping music and posting miniature diecast car content on his hobby page, Wiz has been on a freestyle run of the likes we haven’t seen in a while. This generation’s rap Cheech & Chong link up with one of the game’s most potent horticulturalists in Harry Fraud for a smokey number that sounds better when it’s a sunny day and you have one lit and one rolled already. — ANGEL DIAZ
Icewear Vezzo feat. Big Sean & Skilla Baby, “Worth Something”
Undefeated, Icewear Vezzo’s latest EP — which dropped last Friday (March 7) — is another thrilling collection of Detroit-set street tales. On “Worth Something,” he recruits Big Sean and Skilla Baby, two of his city’s biggest rap stars, for some A1 trap storytelling. “In the Nap with Milly ‘nem, just popped a Tesla, now I’m geeked/ Turned a dream into reality, that’s why I’m laughin’ in my sleep/ Cooked the Vezzo in the lab and now my hands, it smell like bleach/ Rather go to trial than cop no plea, we just cop bags and Louis V,” he spits in his opening verse, opting for a reflective tone that pairs well with Hawkey’s skittering snares. — K.D.
Turbo & Gunna, “Classy Girl”
Turbo and Gunna have been one of the best rapper-producer duos in hip-hop, and it’s been that way for some time now. They reunited on an anthem for the ladies just in time for International Women’s Day with “Classy Girl.” Gunna’s life of luxury allows him to bless the women in life with opulent experiences that most can only dream of. “Pеnthouse suite, we been livin’ on the road/ I’m in Bottega matchin’ slippers to your robe/ And I been runnin’ through a bankroll,” he raps over the bouncy production. It’s almost time for another project from the pairing. — M.S.
Dylan Sinclair, “Lemon Trees” (Motherland Sessions)”
Toronto’s own Dylan Sinclair brings a new depth to his For the Boy in Me album with Motherland Sessions, a live EP paying tribute to his Filipino heritage. Stripping back the production, Sinclair leans into a more intimate, organic sound — especially on “Lemon Trees,” a soulful reflection on love, ambition, and timing. Sinclair’s smooth vocals glide over the laid-back beat as he wrestles with the push and pull of commitment. “I’ll hold you down,” he promises in the chorus, offering devotion while grappling with his own hesitations. He paints his love interest as his “queen” and the “girl of my dreams” and contrasts that adoration with the realities of personal ambition and the fear of settling down too soon; Sinclair lets the tension linger, never forcing an easy resolution. “Lemon Trees” is a tender, honest take on romance. — C.C.
Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax, “Less Is More”
Streamer PlaqueBoyMax’s series “In the Booth With” is one of the more unique online series, helping bring fans into the recording booth with their favorite rappers. Max had U.K. rap legend Sketpa come through recently to lay down a track, and of course, it’s a banger. Big Smoke lays some game down to start off his verse, rapping, “London City is dark and cold/ Don’t take picks with the members screaming that gang if you aren’t involved/Wanna be a ‘G’ better be fully active, gotta do the road with your heart and soul/They wanna know if the street life worth, I told them the answer’s no,” as PlaqueBoyMax delivers a smooth sample flip of the Judy Bailey Quartet’s “Colours Of My Dreams.” — A.D.
Larrenwong, “Out the Frame”
Former NFL player Warren Long has been operating as rising R&B star Larrenwong for some time now, and his new 4th & Long EP is another winning entry in his growing catalog. Standout cut “Out the Frame” finds him moving from the field to the bedroom, crooning “I know that it’s been fun and games/ But you better hold tightly/ Because I go crazy when I’m inside.” At one point, he even nods to Usher, spelling out his name just like the Grammy-winner did on 1997’s “Nice & Slow.” — K.D.
Dende, “Need U Like”
Fresh off signing with Def Jam, rising R&B talent Dende keeps the momentum going with his latest single, “Need U Like.” Through vivid metaphors, Dende paints a picture of unwavering devotion, comparing his connection to his partner to classic, inseparable duos. The verses push that passion even further, with bold declarations of loyalty — he’d spend his last dollar, defy the impossible and rewrite history just to prove his love. Yet, underneath the grand gestures, there’s an emotional core: a promise to heal the wounds of past heartbreak and ensure his partner never feels unappreciated again. With its smooth production and raw lyricism, “Need U Like” is Dende at his best — vulnerable, confident, and completely lost in love. — C.C.
Lady London, “Is You Krazy?”
Walk around the streets of NYC for an hour, and you’re likely to hear one version of someone yelling, “Is you crazy?” Lady London is back with her first single of 2025, and she’s disgusted with the nerve and audacity of these men from around the way. “Cop me the Rollie, cop me the Wraith, and when you see me, you copy and paste,” she raps over Hitmaka’s thumping production. Next up, the Howard University alum is heading out on the road to open for Coco Jones on the North American leg of her Why Not More Tour. — M.S.
03/10/2025
Here’s all the songs we wanna hear from these two superstars.
03/10/2025
Mase is planning a comeback. During the March 7 episode of his sports talk show It Is What It Is, the Harlem rapper-turned-sports pundit kicked things off by revealing that not only is he going to drop his first album since 2004’s Welcome Back, but Cam’ron helped curate the tracklist. “Mo, what’s good? Can y’all […]
LISA lets her Swiftie flag fly whenever she does karaoke, with the BLACKPINK star revealing in a new video that her go-to song for the occasion is one of Taylor Swift‘s early hits.
While recounting some of her “firsts” with White Lotus costar Tayme Thapthimthong in a recent Teen Vogue video, LISA had an immediate answer to a question asking which song she’s first to queue up during karaoke. “For me, I’ll go for Taylor Swift,” she said. “‘You Belong With Me.’”
Even so, LISA recently told Jimmy Kimmel that she preferred to watch from the sidelines during the cast’s frequent karaoke sessions on set. “I’m just sitting in the corner of the room cheering them, hyping them up,” she said March 4 on the comedian’s late-night show, noting that she didn’t ever partake in singing while filming and instead preferred to dance. “I feel weird for me to grab the mic and sing karaoke. [There’s] a lot of pressure.”
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The Thai rapper has long been a fan of the “Karma” artist. In March 2024, she attended one of Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Singapore and posed with the 14-time Grammy winner backstage. “Had such a blast at The Eras Tour! Amazing performance💘 @taylorswift,” LISA wrote on Instagram at the time, sharing photos of her friendship bracelets.
A few months later, LISA raved again about the show. “She’s incredible!” the K-pop star told Elle of Swift in August. “Singing alone on a stage for three and a half hours is crazy … I maybe could do it with a lot of practice.”
The “Rockstar” singer makes her acting debut in the third season of HBO Max’s The White Lotus, which premiered in February. While LISA plays Mook, an employee at the titular fictional hotel chain’s Thailand location, Thapthimthong portrays Gaitok.
While speaking to Teen Vogue with the English actor, LISA also revealed what she bought with her first-ever paycheck — “I think it was a pair of sneakers or something” — as well as recounted the first time she was ever recognized in public. “After I debuted with BLACKPINK, we all went to Thailand for a trip or something,” she said. “We had like a fan waiting for us at the airport. I was like, ‘Oh wow. They love us!’”
Plus, the performer shared the first K-pop idol she ever looked up to and admitted to being a little bit “shy to answer.” “I love BIGBANG,” she said, covering her face. “I can’t pick one because I love them all.”
Watch LISA reveal her “firsts” with Tayme above.
