State Champ Radio News
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Peace, Hip-Hop Wired Nation, welcome to our latest CRT FRSH update. As we do around this time, we’re back with 20 songs featuring acts you should know and some we hope you get to know.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say. — D.L. Chandler, Lead Curator, CRT FRSH
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For this week’s update, I’m going to admit that I’ve been out of the loop with new music due to life doing what it does. That said, I did some digging and landed on 20 songs I feel capture the pulse of the moment across the entire scope of the culture.
We open up with Cardi B’s “ErrTime” remix with Latto, bringing together two women who always seem to meet the moment. Noname, an act we don’t hear a lot from, delivered “Hundred Acres” featuring Devin Morrison. Moneybagg Yo is back in the mix, tapping G Herbo for the “Feet On Land” single.
Chicago’s Vic Spencer just unleashed his Trees Are Undefeated set, and the track “Repeated Strains” is a standout with a dope verse from Backwood Sweetie. Kodak Black dropped his eighth full-length album, Just Getting Started, and we’re featuring “Mumble Rap” featuring Pharrell Williams. Dave’s newest album, The Boy Who Played The Harp, dropped last month, and the title cut is a banger.
Salute to Wale, Odeal, REASON, WESTSIDE BOOGIE, Gio Genesis, Megan Thee Stallion, Mobb Deep, Clipse, Nardo Wick, Key Glock, Tay Keith, Murda Beatz, Hit-Boy, The Alchemist, Babyface Ray, Big Sean, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Gucci Mane, Big L, Joey BadA$$, BVNGS, The Legendary DJ Ron G, PLUTO, NBA YoungBoy, Armand Hammer, Earl Sweatshirt, BIA, Ferg, Denzel Curry, The Expert, and Defcee.
Check us out in two (or more because, life) weeks for the next update where we will bring you 20 all-new joints!
If we missed your track or want to be considered for inclusion, contact D.L. Chandler at [email protected].
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Photo: Getty
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A billionaire behind some of the biggest attacks on New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is being raked over the coals for being highly conciliatory to him after his decisive win. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman congratulated Mamdani. “Congrats on the win,” he wrote, adding: Now you have a big responsibility. If I can help NYC, just let me know what I can do.”
The tweet was a surprising pivot from his previous words about the Queens assemblyman during his campaign. Ackman, who is a noted supporter of President Donald Trump, had been backing independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the race and was one of Mamdani’s most vicious critics, hammering him with false claims of him being antisemitic and “amplifying hate” against Jewish New Yorkers. Mamdani has been a firm critic of Israel’s policies, particularly in their conflict in Gaza.
Those attacks were often seen in multi-paragraph posts on X, where he also tore down Mamdani’s campaign positions of making New York City more affordable for residents (which include increasing taxes on corporations and billionaires, free bus service, city-run grocery stores and rent freezes for stabilized apartments), claiming it would make the city “much more dangerous and economically unviable,” and spur an exodus of billionaires. Ackman went so far as to donate $1.75 million to two super PACs – Defend NYC and the pro-Cuomo group Fix The City.
But now, his conciliatory words have been accepted by the 34-year-old mayor-elect. “I appreciated his words,” Mamdani said while appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday (Nov. 5). “I think what I find is that there is a needed commitment from leaders of the city to speak and work with anyone who is committed to lowering the cost of living in the city—and that’s something that I will fulfill.”
Ackman would be the first of a group of other wealthy figures making overtures to Mamdani. Blackrock co-founder Ralph Schlosstein also publicly pledged support. “I do care deeply about the city, and I’m not going anywhere, whoever the mayor is. I’m going to do whatever I can to help him be successful,” he remarked, according to Forbes magazine. Mamdani is keeping his grassroots structured, as he begins the work of assuming office next January, announcing an all-woman transition team headed by former Federal Trade Commission head Lina Khan.
Libby Adame, who performed underground body enhancement surgeries, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in connection with the death of actor Cindyana Santangelo. Libby Adame, also known as “Butt Lady” or “La Tia,” was initially convicted in October of this year for second-degree murder in the death of Santangelo.
As reported by NBC 4 Los Angeles, Libby Adame, a Riverside County resident, was found guilty of the charge after injecting silicone into the buttocks of Santangelo, who was 59 at the time of her passing. Last year, the outlet reports, Adame was found guilty on a lesser charge under similar circumstances.
Adame performed the silicone injection operation with Karissa Rajpaul, 26, in 2019, leading to her death. Adame was sentenced to three years in prison for the involuntary manslaughter charge. Adame’s daughter, Alicia Galaz, was also convicted in that case.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Santangelo, a resident of Malibu, appeared on the shows CSI: Miami, ER, and more.
Along with the second-degree murder conviction, Adame was also convicted of practicing medicine without a certification.
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Photo: LAPD
Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty
With most New Yorkers celebrating the meteoric rise of the new mayor of the Big Apple, Zohran Mamdani, many other politicians and celebrities have made their disdain for the democratic socialist well known, most notably 50 Cent.
So when Zohran walked out to Ja Rule’s “New York” to deliver his victory speech, the moment wasn’t lost on Hip-Hoppers who were aware of 50’s beef with Mamdani. And sure enough, Ja Rule has weighed in on the situation.
According to Complex, Ja Rule took to his Instagram Stories to show his love and support to Mayor-elect Mamdani and shared a clip of the new mayor of New York using his last radio hit (no shots) as his victory song, along with a mechanical arm and 100-point emojis. No doubt adding fuel to the fire between 50 Cent and Zohran, Ja Rule banked on the moment, as Lord knows the man needs some publicity, as his Verzuz battle with Fat Joe did next to nothing for his music catalogue just a few years ago (again, no shots).
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While 50 Cent no doubt is upset that Mamdani wants to tax millionaires in New York 2% of their earnings (which would translate to $20,000 per $1 million made), most New Yorkers are fine with the tax hike, as most of us do not make anywhere near that amount of money and the taxes would go to public services that are desperately needed.
Still, 50 Cent doesn’t play about his money. After Mamdani’s historic victory, Fiddy took to his IG page to declare New York City dead, as he knows his pockets are about to get a little lighter.
Multimillionaires really hate paying taxes don’t they?
What do y’all think about 50 Cent’s beef with Mayor Zohran Mamdani? Justified or unnecessary? Let us know in the comments section below.
Trending on Billboard Madonna headed back to the club on Friday (Nov. 7) with the release of Confessions on a Dance Floor Twenty Years Edition, an expanded version of the pop queen’s beloved 2005 electropop dance record featuring such beloved hits as “Hung Up,” “Sorry” and “Get Together.” The digital deluxe edition expands the original […]
Trending on Billboard Chase Matthew lands his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “Darlin’.” The single tops the ranking dated Nov. 15 with a 3% gain to 31.3 million audience impressions Oct. 31–Nov. 6, according to Luminate. The Sevierville, Tenn., native cowrote the song with four others, including Jake Angel and Alex […]
Trending on Billboard
To coincide with her mainstage performance at Dubai’s Untold Festival this weekend (Nov. 6-9), India-based global superstar Nora Fatehi has unveiled a brand new single — and she’s brought Jamaican dancehall-pop sensation Shenseea along for the ride.
Out Friday (Nov. 7) via 5 Junction and Warner Records, “What Do I Know” is an infectious, dancefloor-ready banger that blends subtle house influences with elements of Jamaican dancehall, courtesy of Shenseea’s show-stealing verse. Written by three-time Grammy nominee Justin Tranter, Fatehi’s new track plays on the dominant “I’m just a girl” social media meme to explore femininity, power and sensuality through a global pop lens. Her seductive timbre pairs well with the track’s sleek production, and Shenseea’s commanding presence doubles down on her global appeal post-“Shake It to the Max” and offers a nice contrast to both.
“What Do I Know” is also accompanied by an entertaining, Arrad-helmed music video, featuring scenes inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from 1953’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. “I definitely learned to be more expressive and animated,” Shenseea tells Billboard of the music video shoot. “I haven’t fully tapped into that side yet, but I think it’s time now.”
Beyond Dubai’s Untold Festival, Fatehi is set to make her U.S. television debut with the first live performance of “What Do I Know,” alongside Shenseea, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. A Bollywood star turned renowned multi-hyphenate, 2025 has been a busy year for Fatehi. In March, she starred in and provided songs for the soundtrack of Be Happy, an Indian Hindi-language dance drama from Amazon Prime, and, by May, she appeared in Netflix’s The Royals rom-com series.
On the music side of things, Fatehi connected with Jason Derulo for “Snake” at the top of the year, and by April, she was announced as one of the first signees to 5 Junction Records — a joint venture label under Warner Music Group aiming to serve as “a pipeline for South Asian artists to reach North American listeners.”
“South Asian music is having its moment, and Nora Fatehi is a global sensation bringing together sounds from India, the Middle East, and contemporary pop,” 5 Junction Records co-founder Anjula Acharia says in a statement. “With over 46 million fans already behind her, we’re now taking Nora and her sound from India to the world.”
Below, Nora Fatehi dishes on her new single and what else fans can expect from them as they enter 2026.
What inspired “What Do I Know (Just A Girl)”? What message did you want to get across with this song?
All the credit goes to our iconic writer Justin Tranter and producers Max Martin and Robyn. It’s a brilliant concept of a song, and when I first heard it, all I could think of was how so many girls would be able to relate to the idea of being misunderstood, undervalued and unappreciated. It’s a cheeky way of telling the world that we play the game wisely, but with our own rules, of course. We know what we bring to the table, and our power is not to be taken for granted.
Why did Shenseea feel like the right collaborator for this song?
I love Shenseea as an artist and have been following and supporting her work for years! I wanted a collaboration that reflected my global multicultural appeal, and I feel Shenseea, as a Jamaican artist, brings just that. Her style adds the extra spice; she embodies confidence, edge and femininity. She’s also someone who’s broken barriers in her own lane, just like I’ve had to do in mine. I’ve always wanted to incorporate dancehall elements into my music, and being able to have her dancehall touch [on] a pop record like “What Do I Know (Just A Girl)” feels so unique.
What can fans expect from your first televised performance of the song?
I’m so excited to perform this song on TV for the first time! Fans can expect a lot of dancing, glam and drama. We are currently preparing the entire concept. But I’m definitely leaning into some amazing choreography and, of course, some fun moments with Shenseea.
What was the music video shoot like?
We had a blast shooting the video. It was a hectic two days, but the sequences were worth i,t and I had the chance to work with some of the best in the business. One of my favourite choreographers, JaQuel Knight, did the dance choreography, and Arrad, known for some of the coolest pop and hip-hop music videos, directed the project. My favourite part was the airplane sequence. I’ve always wanted to add a bit of comedy in my music videos, and we did just that.
Why do you feel this song “marks the start of your pop girl era?”
With “What Do I Know (Just A Girl),” I’m embracing a sound, a style and an attitude that reflects everything I’ve learned from my journey so far. Bollywood, Afrobeat, Arabic influences, Western pop, all of these worlds make me who I am as an artist today, and in my new era, these worlds are all fused into one unapologetic expression. It’s not about fitting in; it’s about creating my own lane in the pop world.
This era is bold, glamorous and empowering. It’s about celebrating femininity while being powerful, sexy and strong. I’ve always loved artists who could command a global stage like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Shakira. I’m finally stepping into that energy with my own flavor. This is me saying: I’m here. I’m not just a dancer, not just an actress, but also I’m a global pop girl.
How did you go about fusing dancehall and pop on this track?
The track is as pop as it can get, which I love! However, the addition of Shenseea takes the track to another level. The fusion happens so subtly and beautifully through her delivery in the second verse.
For you, what is the importance of global collaborations and working with artists across genres?
They open up so many creative doors and allow artists to blend cultures, sounds, and emotions in a way that speaks to people everywhere. When I work with artists from different parts of the world or from different genres, it’s not just about making a song — it’s about creating a fusion of energy, rhythm, and stories.
Music and dance have no language barrier, and I truly believe collaboration helps us celebrate that universality. It’s how we grow as artists, by learning from each other’s influences, experimenting with new styles, and building bridges between audiences. It’s the most beautiful part of being in the global entertainment space.
Based on “What Do I Know (Just A Girl)” and “Snake,” when can fans expect a full project from you?
I’m currently working on my EP for 2026, and my fans expect to see a different side of me as an artist. I’m experimenting with my sound more than ever and gearing up to drop some dance bangers for the summer.
Trending on Billboard The music of Wicked as we know it has been changed for good, with Jon M. Chu and Stephen Schwartz adding two brand new numbers to the score for the live-action films, snippets of which were shared Thursday (Nov. 6). Performed by leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the ballads are […]
Azealia Banks is known more these days for raising a stink online than dropping music, and that is why she’s on our radar once more. The acerbic, if talented, rapper has attracted several detractors after boldly saying that she doesn’t make music for Muslims and adding other forms of Islamophobic insults.
There are a lot of moving parts, but what we believe set much of social media off was Azealia Banks taking to her X account to off her perspectives on Muslim and Jewish relations, siding with Israel, and wanting to do away with Islam period.
From Banks’ X feed:
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Almost every other social group have way too many third world relatives that are violent, unproductive, have poor hygiene, commit crimes and lack education . You guys are a tribal, violent, homogeneous barrel of Africans, Arabs and Asians with no originality or beauty. Looking at Muslim women walking around like a bunch of slapped dogs f*cking sucks.
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Trending on Billboard The 2026 Grammy nominations were announced Friday (Nov. 7), with the academy once again once again selecting a group of dance/electronic producers across the four dance-focused categories. Skrillex and Kaytranada lead the nominees with two nods each. Skrillex, whose already got nine Grammys to his name, gets the 2026 nods for his […]
