State Champ Radio Music
Page: 521
Jay Ammo, a 29-year-old singer from Clarksville, Tenn., earned the final four-chair turn of The Voice Season 27 after delivering an emotional performance of Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The Blind Auditions wrapped up with Ammo securing interest from all four coaches—John Legend, Adam Levine, Kelsea Ballerini, and Michael Bublé—before ultimately choosing Team Legend.
John Legend was the first to turn for Ammo’s performance, praising his vocal tone and delivery. “What a lovely voice you have. It was floating through the room. I was almost thinking you were from Africa because I could hear an Afrobeat kind of vibe. Is that the music you listen to?”
Trending on Billboard
Ammo, originally from Georgetown, Guyana, revealed that Sheeran’s song resonated deeply with him due to his time serving in the U.S. military in Afghanistan. “Yes, my calm-down song was yours.”
Legend replied, “We have a strong connection musically. Let’s just remember the musical connection that we have, and I would love to coach you.”
Levine, who has landed the most four-chair turns this season, described Ammo’s performance as “ethereal.” “You are very special and magical and singular in that nobody else in this competition is doing that. It gives you this really unique window, which is what this is all about.”
Ballerini also made a strong case for Ammo to join her team, calling him a “creative force.” “You kept the integrity of that song, but you also kept just the right amount of you in it, and that’s artistry.”
The country star was surprised when Ammo revealed he had previously covered her song “Better Luck Next Time.” “Did you now? I didn’t expect that. Now I feel taller and more powerful.”
Bublé, the last to turn, acknowledged some early pitch issues but praised Ammo’s ability to recover. “The second those other chairs turned, your pitch issues subsided. You have a beautiful tone, and you tell a story really well.”
When it came time to make his decision, Ammo selected Team Legend. “Jay’s voice is so cool. He has this kind of lilt to his voice. I really think that Jay has got an interesting musical tableau that he’s working with. We’re going to have a lot of fun picking songs together.”
With the Blind Auditions now complete, The Voice Season 27 will move into the Battle Rounds, where Ammo will compete for a spot in the Knockouts.
Brand New have announced their first public performances in several years, marking the band’s official return to the stage.
The band, led by Jesse Lacey, had previously played a secret “Friends and Family” show in Nashville in December to benefit Make Life Skate Life. Now, fans will finally get the chance to see Brand New on stage again, in their first publicly ticketed concerts since 2017.
Though the band’s social media profiles have remained mostly inactive—with their last Instagram post dating back to October 2017—fans began sharing screenshots of emails they received on March 3, containing presale information for the newly announced concerts, as per LambGoat. The band’s official website also lists the dates and presale details, confirming their long-speculated return.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The trio of shows will kick off March 26 in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Newport, Kentucky, on March 28, and wrapping up in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 29.
Trending on Billboard
Lacey, who previously addressed the sexual misconduct allegations against him, admitted in 2017 that he had caused “pain and harm to a number of people.”
The fallout led to Brand New canceling all remaining tour dates, and the band largely disappeared from public view.
During a solo performance at Eastside Bowl in Nashville on March 2, Lacey also publicly spoke for the first time about the passing of his stepson Miles, who died in 2021. The intimate set featured a mix of Brand New tracks and solo material, including a new song titled “Death.”
“I’m not gonna talk too much about this, but me and my wife Andrea lost our son three years ago. His name was Miles, and it was as hard as you can imagine,” he told the crowd. “Grief is a very hard thing to navigate, and I have found that for me, music lessens the poison of it.”
The moment was met with quiet support from the audience, as Lacey expressed gratitude to those who have helped carry the weight of his grief.
In the wake of their loss, Jesse and Andrea Lacey also founded Moms Skate Club, a charity dedicated to supporting mothers in the skateboarding community. Donations to the organization can be made here.
While no word has been given on whether new music is in the works, Brand New’s upcoming shows suggest that the band is testing the waters for a more significant return. With their influence still felt across the alternative and emo scenes, their live comeback is certain to be a major talking point in the months ahead.
Back in 2017, Brand New scored their first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, displacing Kesha’s Rainbow. The group’s Science Fiction, their first new album in eight years.
Garth Brooks will release The Anthology Part V: The Comeback, The First Five Years, the latest installment in his hardbound anthology series, on April 4. Each part covers a specific era of Brooks’ career with the Part V focused on his return to the stage in 2014 after taking off more than a dozen years […]
Fans hoping for a future reunion announcement from Hall & Oates needn’t hold their breath, with Daryl Hall claiming such a possibility will never happen.
Hall made his recent comments in an interview with The Times, where he reflected on the “betrayal” he felt from longtime bandmate John Oates that soon led to a lawsuit which split the pair. When asked about whether the enduring pop-rock duo could ever reunite, Hall was concise in his response.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“That ship has gone to the bottom of the ocean,” he explained. “I’ve had a lot of surprises in my life, disappointments, betrayals, so I’m kind of used to it.” Though he didn’t elaborate on the latter, he did allude to having “been involved with some pretty shady characters over the years.”
Trending on Billboard
The Hall & Oates dissolution first began back in November 2023 when the pair became embroiled in a legal dispute. Described by Oates as “a very boring business issue,” the crux of the issue began when Hall filed suit against his former partner over Oates’ attempt to sell his half of the duo’s joint venture Whole Oates Enterprises to Primary Wave Music without Hall’s consent.
Though Hall still isn’t able to speak to the specifics of their legal showdown, both men agreed in 2024 that their creative partnership was over.
“John and I did not have a creative relationship for decades; the last song I wrote with John was in 2000 and that was with somebody else,” Hall told Billboard in June 2024. “We toured and we toured and we toured, and it was very restrictive to me, and to John. The real truth of it all is John just said one day he didn’t want to do it anymore. I said ‘OK,’ but the problem is (Oates) didn’t make the parting and breakup easy, and that’s where the difficulties lay and still lay, and that’s all it is.
“I always say I’ve been a solo artist my whole life, I was just working with John, mostly.”
Having first formed in 1970, the Pennsylvania performers rose to fame throughout the ‘70s thanks to albums such as 1976’s Bigger Than Both of Us, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned their first single to top the Hot 100, “Rich Girl.”
The duo reached their commercial zenith in the early ’80s, where albums such as Voices, Private Eyes, and H2O all went Platinum, with the latter giving them their highest album peak, hitting No. 3. Across two years, Hall & Oates would chart atop the Hot 100 four times thanks to “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” and “Maneater.” They’d nab their final chart-topper with 1984’s “Out of Touch.”
Despite not splitting until 2024, Hall & Oates’ last studio album arrived 18 years earlier by way of Home for Christmas. Their last full album of original material was 2003’s Do It for Love.
As Spiritbox prepare to release their second album, vocalist Courtney LaPlante has gone on record to decry the unapproved release of their latest single.
The news comes just days away from the arrival of Tsunami Sea, Spritbox’s new record which is currently scheduled to drop on Friday (March 7) via the band’s own Pale Chords label and Rise Records. The album has been previewed since September, with the release of first single, “Soft Spine.” In November, this was followed by “Perfect Soul,” and again in February with the release of “No Loss, No Love.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Eager fans of the band may, however, have noticed the release of a new single titled “Crystal Roses” appearing on streaming services on Monday (March 3). According to a post shared on social media by LaPlante, issuing a new single in the week of the album’s release was not part of their approved rollout plan.
Trending on Billboard
“I don’t normally like to air out behind the scenes things like this, but we did not approve putting out another single today,” LaPlante wrote. “None of us were aware this was happening. I am extremely disappointed and only found out about it late last night, by chance. Trying to take it down asap.”
“Crystal Roses” has since been removed from streaming services, with only the previously-released singles available for listening ahead of the album’s official release.
This isn’t the first mishap which has befallen Spiritbox in recent months, with the band having recently been thrust into the spotlight thanks to a case of mistaken identity.
Appearing at the Grammys on Feb. 2 where the band were nominated in the best metal performance category, LaPlante spoke to an interviewer who had mistaken her for Poppy (whose “Suffocate” collaboration with Knocked Loose was up for the same award). Offering a slightly confused look to the off-camera interviewer, LaPlante decided instead to roll with it and continued the conversation as her fellow nominee.
“I am Poppy, and I am really happy to be here, nominated with Knocked Loose,” LaPlante replied slyly. “I really hope we win.”
Noting she had just finished chatting to Judas Priest, the interviewer went on to mention it wasn’t Poppy’s first time being nominated, referencing her nod for “Bloodmoney” in 2021.
“Really happy to be here again, would love to take home the Grammy for Knocked Loose and myself because I would be the first woman to win this award,” LaPlante added. “I actually haven’t looked at [how many women have been nominated previously] but I just always know that it’s time for one of us to win. I hope it’s me, or Spiritbox and Courtney.”
Ultimately, the award was won by French band Gojira, whose performance of “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)” (as heard at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony) was a collaboration with Swiss soprano Marina Viotti and Victor Le Masne.
Carl Dean, a Nashville businessman and beloved husband of Dolly Parton for nearly 60 years, died on Monday (March 3). He was 82 years old.
The news of his death was announced via Parton’s Instagram page, along with a statement from the country superstar. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” the statement reads. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
The statement ends with requests for privacy from the family. A cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Dean and Parton met outside a laundromat in Nashville as young adults, the same day Parton arrived in Music City at 18 years old to pursue her dreams of a music career (at that point, Parton had released a handful of non-charting singles; she first entered the Hot Country Songs chart with “Dumb Blonde” not long after their marriage).
Trending on Billboard
“We had the car radio on,” Parton told Billboard of the day she met Dean. “I don’t remember what it was playing, but it was loud and it was rock ’n roll.”
Parton and Dean wed on May 30, 1966 in Ringgold, Georgia. They renewed their vows in Nashville on their 50th anniversary in 2016.
Dean has famously been averse to the spotlight. Only rarely do photographs of the couple emerge, and Parton has said that Dean has only ever seen her perform live once. At various times during her career, she has even had to debunk rumors that her husband doesn’t exist. “A lot of people have thought that through the years, because he does not want to be in the spotlight at all,” Parton told Entertainment Tonight during an interview in 2020.
Parton recently discussed her relationship with Dean during an interview with Bunnie XO on the latter’s Dumb Blonde podcast in December, sharing the secret to their long-lasting marriage. “He’s quiet and I’m loud, and we’re funny,” she explained. “Oh, he’s hilarious. And I think one of the things that’s made it last so long through the years is that we love each other [and] we respect each other, but we have a lot of fun.”
She added, “Anytime [there’s] too much tension going on, either one of us can like, find a joke about it to really break the tension, where we don’t let it go so far. We never fought back and forth. And I’m glad now that we never did, because once you start that, that becomes a lifetime thing.”
Dean is survived by Parton and his two siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
The late Joe Cocker is a contender for this year’s class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, and Paul McCartney is on his side.
The Beatles star wrote a letter to the Rock Hall — an international voting panel composed of more than a thousand artists, historians and music industry professionals — suggesting that Cocker be chosen for induction. “Joe was a great man and a fine singer whose unique style made for some fantastic performances,” McCartney wrote of the “Woman to Woman” singer in the letter obtained by Billboard. “He sang one of our songs ‘With a Little Help From My Friends,’ a version produced by Denny Cordell which was very imaginative.”
He continued, “All the people on the panel will be aware of the great contribution Joe made to the history of Rock and Roll. And whilst he may not have ever lobbied to be in the Hall of Fame, I know he would be extremely happy and grateful to find himself where he deserves to be amongst such illustrious company.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The “Let It Be” singer sweetly signed the note, “Paul (McCartney).”
Trending on Billboard
McCartney is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree, as he was inducted in 1988 as a member of The Beatles and in 1999 as a solo artist.
Cocker, who died in 2014, is a first-time nominee. He’s up for the Rock Hall’s Class of 2025 alongside 13 other musical greats, including Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden and The White Stripes.
The Class of 2025 will be revealed in late April, and this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall, with more details to be announced in the coming months.
It looks like Playboi Carti is finally ready to release his long awaited third solo album I Am Music.
The enigmatic Atlanta rapper took to his finsta account @opium_00pium to post a photoshoot carousel of images with the caption: “@spotify What we doin Lets gone clear dese ho ahh nig out.”
The streaming service responded on X by posting a series of hourglass emojis and @’d the rapper.
Trending on Billboard
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Carti then responded by posting a screenshot in his Instagram Story and wrote, “Yal boys push up my n—a.”
And when a fan commented, “bro we get it u trim just drop the album already,” Playboi agreed and replied, “Fasho.”
He then posted another screenshot from X of a fan tweeting, “I genuinely think this is the most anticipated album in the history of music,” and suggested that the project will be well worth the wait, writing, “[And] the replay [value] on 10.”
Fans can pre-order I Am Music for $9.99 on Carti’s website and promises to be made available this month according to the disclaimer made available under the “Add to Cart” widget. “Album release date to be announced,” the disclaimer reads. Digital album will be available near the release date, no later than six months from September 12, 2024.”
Six months from September 12, 2024 is March 12, 2025.
We can thank Kai Cenat if he meets the deadline. The popular streamer pleaded with Carti to release the project while being interviewed on the red carpet during the Grammys. “The Playboi Carti album,” Cenat answered after Access Hollywood asked him what music was missing in 2025. “He needs to drop, for real. Carti gotta drop. I know Carti gon’ see this. Carti, just drop! I’m on national TV. Drop, gang! You feel what I’m saying? So yeah, that’s what we missing. In my world, a lot of people need that, so we need to make sure that happens.”
Playboi caught wind of the clip and reposted it on his IG Story with the caption, “Realest video I seen in 2025… BX yal got 1 with Kai. Dis video might be da one to do it.”
PLAYBOI CARTI SPEAKS ON KAI CENAT TELLING HIM TO DROP THE ALBUM 🚨 “REALEST VIDEO I SEEN IN 2025”“BECAUSE YALL GOT 1 WITH KAI THIS MIGHT BE THE ONE TO DO IT” pic.twitter.com/Lp8Cy5XIZ3— ⛤ (@unseenopium) February 4, 2025
Six months from September 12, 2024 is March 12, 2025.
Abbott Elementary is halfway through its fourth season, but Sheryl Lee Ralph is teasing fans about an exciting guest star in the finale. The superstar joined Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet at the annual The Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday (March 3), where she mostly kept her lips sealed about […]
Cam’ron and Mase had an interesting theory as to why Gervonta Davis didn’t win his fight against Lamont Roach Jr. over the weekend at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and instead left with a draw.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
To open up the latest episode of their sports talk show It Is What It Is, the first topic was about Davis walking out to the ring with Dipset members Jim Jones and Juelz Santana as they performed 2004’s “Crunk Muzik” and how that might’ve spelled bad luck for the Baltimore fighter.
“I just want to say something, to your credit,” Cam began as Mase enjoyed a big bucket of popcorn. “A lot of times I’ll be like, ‘This n—a Mase, he be bugging.’ I don’t say it out loud, because your opinion’s your opinion. Mase always says, ‘Yo, don’t bring this n—a out with you, ’cause they’re not going to win if you bring this n—a out with you.’ Talking about football games, basketball games. And I be sitting here, like, ‘I don’t really know.’ But then I got it, when the fight went on. When you got that type of energy and you breathing that energy when everybody’s sad and mad and depressed, [trying to] look happy but they really not happy. It gets into you.”
Trending on Billboard
Cam continued to elaborate on Mase’s theory, saying, “The people you with could possibly f— your energy up for some sh– that you supposed to do. You can’t come out with that energy, man, it’s bad energy, man. Nobody’s happy over there. … Tank, get outta there,” he added, referencing Davis’ nickname.
Mase then added that if Meek Mill had performed during the Philadelphia Eagles recent playoff run they wouldn’t have gone on to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. “If Meek Mill walked them out,” he said, “They’re not going to win a championship.”
They aren’t the only ones with this theory. Former NBA player Nick Young said the same thing on social media, joking that, “Tank fight was a draw soon as I seen Juelz.”
Cam and Jim Jones have been going back and forth for weeks now, stemming from a 50 Cent appearance on Cam’ron’s interview series Talk With Flee where the two legends reminisced about their past issues.
You can watch the full episode below.
