State Champ Radio Music
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Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” felt inescapable in 2024, but none of Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet domination made it onto NBA star Jaylen Brown’s latest playlist. The Boston Celtics wing participated in a pop culture quiz game during a timeout in the team’s face-off against the New York Knicks on Sunday (Feb. 23), and Brown struggled to […]
The Do Lab has announced the lineups for its stage at Coachella 2025.
The electronic heavy bills, which are different for each weekend of the festival, feature artists including Tokimonsta, Anderson .Paak performing as DJ Pee .Wee, a DJ set from Confidence Man, a DJ set by Tycho, Nimino, Kaleena Zanders, Villager, Ladies of Leisure, Rudimental b2b Skepsis, Snakehips b2b What So Not, J. Phlip, Aqutie and many more.
The Do Lab has been hosting a stage at Coachella since 2005, with the area having been home to performances by big name artists including Billie Eilish, DJ Snake, Rüfüs Du Sol and many others. The Do Lab also produces its flagship festival Lightning In a Bottle, which is happing again this May near Bakersfield, Calif., with a lineup that includes John Summit, Jamie xx, Khruangbin, Four Tet, Subtronics and many more.
The Do Lab’s Coachella 2005 lineups increase the dance/electronic factor on the already dance/electronic heavy bill. Announced in November, the main lineup includes Above & Beyond, The Prodigy, Sara Landry, Keinemusic, Alok, Darkside, Zedd, Kraftwerk and many others.
Coachella has three stages dedicated exclusively to dance music: the massive Sahara Tent, the club-space Yuma and Quasar, a stage that debuted in 2024 and is dedicated to extended sets. Dance music also happens across nearly all of the festivals other stages.
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Coachella returns to Indio, Calif., over two weekends, on April 13-15 and 20-22; 2025 headliners are Green Day, Lady Gaga and Post Malone, with a special set from Travis Scott.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” repeats at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. A week earlier, the song rebounded to the top, from No. 15, fueled by his performance of it during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Feb. 9.
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” adds a 10th week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.
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The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.
Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.
“Not Like Us” drew 111.7 million streams (down 1%) and sold 21,000 (down 46%) worldwide Feb. 14-20. The Drake diss track — which on Feb. 2 won the Grammy Awards for record and song of the year, among its five victories – logs a fourth week atop the Global 200.
Lamar also ranks in the Global 200’s top 10 with “Luther,” with SZA (up 4-3 for a new high); 2018’s “All the Stars,” also with SZA (10-6 for a new best); and “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay (8-7, after hitting No. 5). All four songs were part of his Super Bowl halftime performance.
“Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 after nine weeks at No. 1 on the Global 200 starting last September; ROSÉ and Mars’ “APT.” slips 3-4 following 12 weeks on top beginning in October; and Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” lifts 6-5 after three weeks at No. 1 last August.
“Die With a Smile” claims a 10th week atop Global Excl. U.S., with 103.3 million streams (down 4%) and 4,000 sold (down 17%) outside the U.S. Feb. 14-20. The song is the fifth to run up double-digit weeks at No. 1 since the chart began.
“APT.” holds at No. 2 after a record 15 weeks at No. 1 on Global Excl. U.S. beginning in November.
Lamar charts three songs in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10: “Not Like Us” is steady at its No. 3 best; “Luther” bounds 7-4, surpassing its prior No. 6 peak; and “All the Stars” shoots 17-8, becoming Lamar’s fifth top 10 and SZA’s fourth.
Plus, “Birds of a Feather” remains at No. 5, after three weeks on top last August.
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated March 1, 2025) will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Feb. 25. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X and Instagram.
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.
LiSA dropped the music video for her collaborative single with Felix of Stray Kids called “ReawakeR.” The single is being featured as the opening theme for the TV anime Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-. The collab follows LiSA’s feature on the K-pop group’s track “Social Path (feat. LiSA)” released in 2023. “ReawakeR” […]
After an explosive start to the year between the Grammys, Super Bowl, SNL 50 and NBA All-Star Weekend, the worlds of hip-hop and R&B have finally given us some time to catch our breath.
On Saturday evening (Feb. 22), the NAACP hosted the 56th Image Awards, where Emmy-winning host, actress and singer Keke Palmer, was crowned entertainer of the year. In the music categories, Beyoncé took home outstanding female artist and outstanding album for her Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter. Chris Brown emerged as the most-awarded recording artist of the night with three victories, including outstanding male artist and outstanding soul/R&B song for “Residuals.” Continuing the overlap between 2025 Grammy winners and this year’s Image Awards triumphs, Doechii took home outstanding new artist and Kendrick Lamar scored two wins for “Not Like Us.” Notably, the Cynthia Erivo-led Wicked soundtrack won outstanding soundtrack/compilation album, while Tamela Mann snagged both gospel/Christian trophies.
As the NAACP led a weekend of celebration, the hip-hop/R&B community also had to hold space for moments of mourning. Impressions singer Jerry Butler passed last Thursday (Feb. 20); The Notorious B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, transitioned the following day (Feb. 21); and on Monday (Feb. 24), a spokesperson for soul icon Roberta Flack confirmed the Hot 100-topping, Grammy-winning artist died that morning.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Rico Nasty’s comeback to Nardo Wick and 21 Savage’s latest link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Ayoni, “2”
Built around jazzy piano chords, a pounding bass line and a sultry electric guitar, Ayoni’s latest track is a smoldering warning to those who dare test her gangster. “Simultaneously/ You were seeing her and loving me/ And now you’re here/ Lying at my front door,” she croons at the song’s onset, employing a haunting, almost sinister timbre that amplifies the cinematic nature of the track’s narrative. As the story progresses, Ayoni reserves the chorus for a moment of direct address: “I left the same time as you/ You thought you knew what I’d do/ But two could play too/ I could play you.” The scorned woman trope has gifted us with timeless R&B records going back to the Motown days, and Ayoni has found herself with a worthy addition to that canon. — KYLE DENIS
Jastin Martin, “28 Degrees In Houston”
Rising R&B star and Houston native Jastin Martin is back with her first track of 2025: “28 Degrees In Houston” is a heartfelt expression of longing, vulnerability and emotional dependency, particularly in moments of cold-weather solitude. Her smooth vocals and raw lyricism inject her explorations of relationship-minded emotions — missing someone, needing their presence, and reminiscing about past shared emotions, etc. — with gravity sourced from real-life experiences, ultimately making for a relatable joint that emphasizes the “B” in R&B. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
AzChike, “Whatx2”
Years of grinding have paid off for AzChike, who parlayed his ScHoolboy Q guest appearance and a “Peekaboo” alley-oop from Kendrick Lamar into a recent label deal with Warner Records. Chike continues to build on his momentum with his major label debut single “Whatx2.” The AzCult frontman rides the West Coast bounce in laid-back fashion, and while others are getting hip to the wave, he’s long been a believer in the movement. “She said, ‘You one of them ones,’ I’m like, ‘I’m already knowing,’” he boasts. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Joy Postell, “Show Me”
Baltimore’s Joy Postell and producer Mighty Mark have a jam on their hands with R&B cut “Show Me.” The song has a ’90s vibe, which goes perfectly with the dating commercial VHS tapes the singer has been posting on her YouTube channel to promote it. First, there’s Vanessa, the Cancer baddie; then there’s Stacy, who’s 100 percent muscle; and finally, there’s Linda, the entrepreneur. If you’re into this song, then you’ll dig “Play Nice (Mighty Mark Remix)” from last year. — ANGEL DIAZ
Durand Bernarr feat. T-Pain, “THAT!”
Back with a new album — and his first full-length project since he earned his very first Grammy nod earlier this month — Durand Bernarr continues his unpredictable, and rewarding, artistic evolution. Featuring collaborations with GAWD and T-Pain, Bloom continues Bernarr’s commitments to exploring the breadth of what progressive R&B can sound and feel like. “That” is a tender duet built around ethereal strings, finger-picked guitar and a distinctly ’00s melody that feels plucked from a Kirk Franklin & the Family arrangement. T-Pain’s trademark Auto-Tune adds some crackling verve to the generally laid-back soundscape, but it’s the way his tone marries with Bernarr’s that makes for a silky-smooth sound whether they’re harmonizing or singing in unison. — K.D.
Busta Rhymes, Akon & Vybz Kartel, “Crazy”
A Busta Rhymes-Akon-Vybz Kartel track was not on my 2025 bingo card! Since The Worl’ Boss made his return to the public, he’s been on a mission to drop the best music possible. Kartel even teased upcoming collaborations with Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and Drake in the near future. When it comes to “Crazy,” the trio goes wild, nearly losing their minds but also celebrating how great life is. The track reflects on freedom and ultimately delivers a bold message — they can’t be stopped. — C.C.
Chxrry22, “Just Like Me”
Chxrry22 is coming through with the female empowerment bops. “Just Like Me” keeps the First Lady of XO’s momentum rolling, following a cameo on The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow album. Riding a bass line mixed with the keyboard-laden bounce of Pharrell’s “Frontin,” Chxrry has no issue boosting her man’s ego, but just know she’s one step ahead of the game. Ultimately, the Toronto singer comes around to realizing she likes them “Just Like Me.” The 23-year-old is primed to deliver her anticipated debut album this year. — M.S.
Rico Nasty, “Teethsucker (Yea3x)”
Rico Nasty has always felt a bit ahead of the times, and this could be the moment the mainstream finally syncs up with her. Introducing both her new Fueled by Ramen era and forthcoming Lethal LP — her first project since 2022’s Las Ruinas — “Teethsucker (Yea3x)” is more of the rambunctious rock-rap we’ve come to love from the DMV MC. After expressing her desire to “pop out like a titty,” Rico spits, “Not with the bull, we not bool/ I keep a tool at your medul, just hit the pool/ He got the best f–kin face, I think I’ma use him for a mule,” effortlessly maneuvering a raucous soundscape courtesy of Rayman on the Beat & Imad Royal. — K.D.
J. Cole, “cLOUDs”
“Just wanted to share,” Cole wrote via his Inevitable blog. “Made this a few days ago, then I added a second verse and was like, ‘Man I got a blog now, I can put whatever I want up there.’ I didn’t have a title 20 minutes ago when I decided to really put this up. But now I got one…” Thanks to his blog, we now have “cLOUDs”— a deep, introspective reflection on aging, change and the state of the world, layered with sharp lyricism and intricate wordplay. The song navigates life’s uncertainties, standing firm in values, and resisting the artificial influences of modern society. It’s a powerful mix of self-awareness and social critique, making it a deeply thought-provoking listen. — C.C.
Nardo Wick feat. 21 Savage, “HBK”
Nardo Wick and 21 Savage spar for the first time since colliding on Wick’s “Who Want Smoke?” breakout hit. Savage steals the show on “HBK” with another menacing feature to continue his potent run of guest appearances. The duo channels WWE superstar Shawn Michaels’ Heartbreak Kid persona, while 21 paints the picture of traveling to rival territory to hook up with a woman but knows he’s still gotta watch his back. “She stay by the opps, so when we f–k, I grip my gun,” he raps. Is there a better ad-lib in hip-hop right now than the Atlanta rhymer’s “p—y?” — M.S.
Roberta Flack died on Monday morning (Feb. 24), and the music world came together to mourn the beloved R&B icon. The “Killing Me Softly” singer’s spokesperson announced the news in a press statement, writing, “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her […]
March 31 will mark six years since Nipsey Hussle was murdered in front of his Marathon Clothing store. The Marathon (Brand) is set to honor his legacy with the grand opening of Marathon Burger on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The official grand opening of Marathon Burger is slated for March 1, with a ribbon-cutting […]
Six powerhouse women – Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, LISA of BLACKPINK, Queen Latifah and Raye – will perform at the 2025 Oscars on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The show also will feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Erivo and Grande are 2025 Oscar nominees for their roles in Wicked. Queen Latifah was nominated in 2003 for her role in Chicago.
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Erivo and Grande are expected to open the Oscar telecast with one or more songs from Wicked. All of the songs featured in Wicked were taken from the Broadway musical, so none were nominated for best original song, but the score by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz was nominated for best original score. Wicked received a total of 10 nominations.
The other women are expected to participate in “performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends.”
When the Oscars announced that this year’s nominees for best original song would not be performed on the telecast (but that there would instead be a single spot focused on the songwriters of those songs), some feared that music would get short shrift on the awards show. This announcement proves that that is not the case.
Oscar producers historically have focused on the best original song nominees, but they have been known to pivot when doing so would yield a prized booking. Three years ago, the Oscars featured a performance of the Encanto song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks, even though that song had not been submitted for Oscar consideration and was not nominated.
Raye performed her song “Oscar Winning Tears,” from her album My 21st Century Blues, on the Grammy telecast on Feb. 2, where she was a best new artist nominee. Raj Kapoor, executive producer and showrunner of the 2025 Oscars, was an executive producer of this year’s Grammy telecast as well. These bookings constitute major coups for the British star, who swept the Brit Awards a year ago.
Kapoor and Oscars executive producer Katy Mullan will continue to announce talent joining the show leading up to the ceremony.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 2025 Oscars will air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
As Little Monsters everywhere gear up for the release of Lady Gaga’s hotly anticipated new album Mayhem, Mother Monster herself is giving them a glimpse of what they can expect from the new LP.
In a new interview for InStyle, Gaga spoke with Spotify’s head of global editorial Sulinna Ong ahead of her Little Monster Press Conference for the streamer. During their conversation, the “Abracadabra” singer shared a sneak preview of two songs — “The Beast” and “Perfect Celebrity,” respectively — that are featured on her new album.
Speaking about “The Beast,” Gaga revealed that the lyrics of the song see her “singing to a werewolf” that represents her. “The lyrics are: ‘You can’t hide who you are, 11:59, your heart’s racin’, you’re growling, and we both know why,’” Gaga revealed. “And somehow that gothic dream is not just about me in a relationship with this person that’s about to turn, but what if I was to just sing it to myself and the beast is Gaga?”
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When talking about “Perfect Celebrity,” Gaga mentioned that the concept of “duality” present in both her videos for “Disease” and “Abracadabra” continue in the new track’s lyrics. “The lyric is: ‘I’ve become a notorious being, find my clone, she’s asleep on the ceiling,” she said. “It’s this idea that we all, in a way, have our real selves and then our clone version that we project to the world. So there’s a lot in Mayhem about multiple yous or multiple mes and what it’s like to have those things be at odds with each other all the time.”
As for the inspiration behind her new project, the singer pointed directly to ballroom culture as a driving force that found its way into the album’s music and lyrics. “I grew up in New York City and I also was a student of Paris Is Burning when I was really, really young. And I was always inspired by the tremendous amount of grace, freedom, expression and joy of ballroom culture,” she said. I was lucky enough to be around some dancers that were a part of that life.”
Gaga continued, adding that she felt it is a “privilege” to be a member of the dance community, and to be embraced by those who have built such lasting institutions. “There are these spaces in the world where there’s an ability for the community to express and experience joy, even when life is not treating them that way,” she explained. “And I am still so inspired by it and to this day, it felt like a relevant thing to bring up in the [“Abracadabra”] video because it’s about resilience. I can’t think of a place where I’ve seen more resilience than in a ballroom.”
The news comes just one week after Gaga unveiled the tracklist for Mayhem (due out March 7 via Interscope), including singles “Disease,” “Abracadabra” and “Die With a Smile,” as well as the two new tracks she teased. Spotify’s Little Monster Press Conference — during which Gaga’s fans will have the opportunity to ask Mother Monster their own questions — is set to take place Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. ET, simulcast across Spotify’s social media accounts.
Selena Gomez is giving the glory of the Only Murders in the Building cast’s 2025 Screen Actors Guild award to costars Steve Martin and Martin Short. The day after their murder-mystery Hulu series took home outstanding performance by an ensemble at this year’s SAG honors Sunday (Feb. 23), the singer-actress shared a couple older photos […]
