State Champ Radio News
Page: 161
Trending on Billboard
The Recording Academy announced that more than 3,800 music creators and professionals have joined the academy as part of its 2025 New Member Class. This includes approximately 2,900 new voting members (who are eligible to vote in the upcoming 68th annual Grammy Awards) and approximately 900 new professional members.
Of those in the new class, 50% are age 39 and under, 58% are people of color and 35% identify as women. Looking only at voting members, 49% are age 39 and under, 60% are people of color and 30% identify as women.
Related
For the first time, invitations to join the Recording Academy were also extended to all voting members of the Latin Recording Academy. That explains why Latin leads all genres when new voting members were asked which genre they were most aligned with. Thirteen percent of new voting members said Latin, compared to pop and “other” (8% each); alternative, global music and rock (3% each); jazz, R&B and classical (2% each); dance/electronic, visual media, gospel/Christian, rap, contemporary instrumental, reggae, country, American roots and new age/ambient/chant (1% each); and musical theatre, children’s, spoken word and comedy (less than 1% each).
The influx of new members from the Latin Recording Academy voting body also explains why 28% of all new members (not just voting members) identify as Hispanic or Latin, second only to (and close behind) the percentage who identify as white or Caucasian (31%). These two groups were followed by Black or African American (20%), “I prefer not to disclose” (11%), Asian or Pacific Islander (5%), “I prefer to self-describe” (3%), Middle Eastern or Northern African and South Asian (1% each) and Indigenous or Alaska native (less than 1%).
“This year’s class reflects the vibrancy of today’s diverse music landscape,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “The addition of many Latin Recording Academy voting members underscores that music has no borders and that our mission to serve music people, regardless of where they are from, is stronger than ever.”
The addition of many Latin Academy voting members could help Bad Bunny land his second album of the year nomination. He is a top contender in that category with Debí Tirar Más Fotos, having been nominated three years ago for Un Verano Sin Ti.
Related
Of the total new member class (voting and non-voting members combined), 59% are men, 35% are men, 4% responded “I prefer not to disclose”; 1% identify as “non-binary or gender non-conforming; and less than 1% say “I prefer to self-describe.”
In terms of age, 50% of all new members (voting and non-voting combined) are 39 and under; 43% are (gasp) over 40; and 7% responded “I prefer not to disclose” or their age is unknown.
Looking just at new voting members, songwriters and composers are the top creative disciplines. Thirty-six percent of all new voting members classify themselves that way, followed by producers (20%), engineers (13%), vocalists (10%), instrumentalists (8%), arrangers (5%), music video pros (2%), album packaging, album notes writers and “other” (1% each); and conductors, spoken word (poets, narrators, comedians) and music supervisors (less than 1% each).
There are two types of Recording Academy membership – voting membership for recording creators and professional membership for music business professionals. Both types of members may participate in the organization’s year-round initiatives, but only voting members — comprised of artists, songwriters, producers, engineers and others active in the music industry — are eligible to vote.
The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards will be unveiled at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 7, during a livestream on live.Grammy.com and YouTube. The full list of nominees will be published on Grammy.com immediately following the presentation.
Source: Julia Beverly / Getty
Offset’s surprise Halloween album isn’t the only surprise, as the rapper has been hit with more than $2 million in tax liens.
In the midst of his divorce from Cardi B, the ATL rapper has run into some more trouble with Uncle Sam. According to Complex, the IRS filed a federal lien against Set for $486,426.35 in 2023 and $1,575,266.73 for taxes from previous years. To add insult to injury, the Georgia Department of Revenue filed a claim against him last year as well.
Claiming that the rapper did not pay his 2021 state income taxes. Gwinnett County hit him with a hefty balance of $266,702.21, which they reduced from what it was before ($294,712.02). This brings the former Migos rapper’s total to $2.3 million. The timing of all this couldn’t be any worse, as Offset and Cardi have been going through a divorce. The two have not been able to come to legal terms. As reported by Billboard, Offset was asking Cardi for spousal support.
Bardi remained unothered and dropped her sophomore album, “AM I THE DRAMA?” Where she turned her pain into a hit on “Outside”. Addressing the disloyalty in the relationship, “When I tell you these n*ggas ain’t sh*t, please believe me. They gon’ f*ck on anything, these n*ggas way too easy.”
Since then, Bardi has been enjoying her pregnancy with her new boo, Steffon Diggs. Now for Offset, he’s been in grind mode and dropped a surprise album, “HAUNTED BY FAME,” on Halloween. Where it looked like the two were starting to hit a positive turn in their divorce, we spoke too soon. Set allegedly threw some shade at his ex’s way on the track, “NO SWEAT.” Where he called her new man a downgrade, “On the way to the money, no stoppin’. How the f*ck you leave Jordan for Rodman? You a fool if you think that I’m not hurt. You ain’t happy, I know how it work.”
Trending on Billboard
Drake’s music has received “billions of fraudulent streams” on Spotify, according to a new class action lawsuit that says the streaming giant turned a “blind eye” to bots and thus deprived fair pay to thousands of other artists.
In a case filed Sunday in Los Angeles federal court, attorneys for a rapper named RBX (Eric Dwayne Collins) say Spotify is “all too happy” to ignore billions of fake streams per month that falsely inflate some artist stats – and that Champagne Papi was one of the most-boosted artists.
“Billions of fraudulent streams have been generated with respect to songs of ‘the most streamed artist of all time,’ Aubrey Drake Graham, professionally known as Drake,” the rapper’s lawyers write. “But while the streaming fraud with respect to Drake’s songs may be one example, it does not stand alone.”
Related
The lawsuit claims that Spotify’s policies against fake streams are “nothing more than window dressing” and that the company would prefer to do nothing because bots help the company’s bottom line.
“The more users (including fake users) Spotify has, the more advertisements it can sell, the more profits the company can report, all of which serves to increase the purported value delivered to shareholders,” RBX’s attorneys say.
And such “cheating” has real victims, the lawsuit says: “This mass-scale fraudulent streaming causes massive financial harm to legitimate artists, songwriters, producers and other rightsholders whose proportional share is decreased as a result of fraudulent stream inflation on Spotify’s platform.”
A spokesman for Spotify did not immediately return a request for comment. Drake was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit nor accused of any wrongdoing; a rep for the star did not return a request for comment.
Streaming fraud on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music is a longstanding problem, made all the more challenging in recent years by advances in artificial intelligence and other sophisticated spoofing technologies. By some estimates, several percentage points of all streams are inauthentic – meaning billions of monthly plays. Since royalties on digital services are divvied up among rightsholders from a finite pie, such phony numbers siphon off revenue from legitimate streams.
Related
In one extreme example, a North Carolina man was indicted last year on federal charges that he used AI to help create “hundreds of thousands” of songs and used thousands of bots to stream them millions of times. The feds say the scheme diverted over $1 million per year from real artists.
In his lawsuit on Sunday, RBX says he wants to force Spotify to take more aggressive action against such behavior on its platform, calling its current anti-fraud policies “inadequate at best.”
“Plaintiff brings this case to bring justice for his brother and sister creators and entertainers,” his lawyers write. “In doing so, Plaintiff gives a voice to more than one hundred thousand rightsholders who, among other things, may be unable or too afraid to challenge Spotify, a powerful force in the music business whose failure to act has caused significant problems and great financial harm.”
In technical terms, the lawsuit accuses Spotify of legal negligence, meaning the company caused harm to him and others by failing to take steps it should have taken. He also claims the company violated California state law against unfair competition.
The case is filed as a proposed class action, meaning RBX wants to represent thousands of other artists who have allegedly faced the same harm he did. But such other artists will only be drawn into the case if a judge grants approval – a difficult threshold to clear in any class action litigation.
Trending on Billboard
Belmont University’s new Center for Mental Health in Entertainment, launched by the University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, has tapped industry veteran and licensed clinical social worker Debbie Carroll as its executive director.
Carroll was most recently vp of entertainment and specialized services at Onsite Entertainment and previously spent more than 20 years as vp of health and human services at MusiCares.
Related
Carroll will also hold the position of CMA endowed chair as part of a $3 million gift from the Country Music Association to the new center. Two million dollars of that will go towards the creation of the chair and the executive director position, while the remaining $1 million will go toward programming. The $2 million will be matched by the Johnson Academic Challenge at Belmont, for a total of $5 million.
“I’m honored to step into this role and help lead a transformative initiative that places mental health at the heart of the entertainment industry,” said Carroll in a statement. “This Center represents a powerful opportunity to build a culture of care, resilience and innovation for artists and professionals across music, film, television and beyond. With Belmont’s deep commitment, and CMA’s visionary support, we’re poised to make a lasting impact, starting in Nashville and reaching far beyond.”
Belmont University Center for Mental Health in Entertainment
Courtesy
The Center will address the critical need for mental health research, education and resources in the entertainment industry. It will serve both students and industry professionals.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern added, “As a trade association, it’s our responsibility to care for the people who make this industry thrive. Supporting their well-being has always been central to CMA’s mission, and through years of investments and partnerships, we’ve seen how access to care can change lives. This collaboration with Belmont allows us to take that support a step further—transforming advocacy into meaningful, long-term change. With a leader like Debbie Carroll guiding this work, we’re helping ensure a stronger, healthier music community for generations to come.”
Brittany Schaffer, dean of Curb College, said, “Our partners, like CMA, know a thriving entertainment industry begins with healthy, supported individuals connected by community. This center will invest in today’s leaders and creators, prepare the next generation to confidently navigate challenges, and serve as a model for how our industry can care for its own. Debbie Carroll has long been the trusted voice on mental health in entertainment—her wisdom, compassion and proven leadership have shaped the vision for this Center from the spark of the idea, and I have every confidence in her as our inaugural CMA Endowed Chair & Executive Director. With Debbie at the helm, we have the opportunity to forever change culture.”
Trending on Billboard Benson Boone was forced to pull the plug on his show at Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England on Saturday (Nov. 1) at the last minute due to vocal issues. According to a BBC report, in a since-expired statement posted to his Instagram Story, Boone apologized to fans for the missed date, saying […]
Back row: Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia Laforteza, Front row: Yoonchae Jeung, Manon Bannerman, Megan Meiyok Skiendiel of Katseye visit the Trü Frü backstage portrait studio at iHeartRadio’s 102.7 KIIS FM Wango Tango concert on May 10, 2025 in Huntington Beach, California.
Sara Jaye/Getty Images for Trü Frü
Trending on Billboard The Cure have announced the release date for The Show of a Lost World concert film, a full-length live performance featuring all the songs from the band’s most recent studio album, 2024’s Songs of a Lost World. The movie will play exclusively in theaters worldwide on Dec. 11 for a limited time, […]
Source: Savion Washington / Getty
It seems fans will have to wait a bit longer for A$AP Rocky to drop Don’t Be Dumb. He is in no rush to drop his already delayed project.
As spotted on Rap-Up, A$AP Rocky is still making headlines even though music has not been his primary focus over the last couple of years. Recently, he graced the cover of Perfect magazine, wearing pink foam rollers in his hair, and gave some updates regarding his fourth studio album. The “I Smoked Away My Brain” MC made it clear he is in no rush to release it to simply get a look. “I don’t do all these different endeavors just because I got to be the first at the top of the mountain and plant the flag,” Lord Flacko explained.
At his very core, A$AP lets his creativity guide him, not achieving another milestone in his discography. “I don’t do things to just try and stay relevant or keep my name in the conversation. I try to do natural things, creative, ambitious things that really satisfy me,” he said.
In September, A$AP Rocky welcomed his third child with Rihanna. Rocki Irish is their first daughter together. You can read his interview with Perfect here.
Trending on Billboard
Britney Spears‘ Instagram account has once again gone dark. Fans looking to get an update on the singer via her @britneyspears Insta page — featuring the screen name XILA MARIA RIVER RED — are not me with a message that reads: “Profile isn’t available. The link may be broken, or the profile my have been removed.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
According to a variety of reports, the Spears Insta account appeared to go dark on Saturday (Nov. 1) or Sunday (Nov. 2), two weeks after the singer’s ex-husband, Kevin Federline, released his tell-all memoir, You Thought You Knew, which features salacious and scandalous stories involving the pop star from their two-plus years of marriage.
At press time Spears had not made any comment about her Instagram retreat, which marked the latest incident of her wiping away her Instagram page. The pop star went away briefly in 2021, then again in 2022 (twice) and has periodically gone dark on her socials over the past few years. The latest retreat comes after Spears repeatedly seemed to lash out over the allegations in Federline’s book in a series of Instagram posts in mid-October in which she wrote, “Its fun to tell stories at this point because this all might sound so silly but with what garbage literally is being said about me I said why not bring SUBSTANCE to the table.” Before that, Spears lashed out in another post at what she deemed “constant gaslighting” from Federline, to whom she was married from 2004-2007.
A few days earlier, she took another shot at people who “profit off my pain,” without naming names, but seemingly alluding to her financial situation with her ex, writing, “no money from Britney for 5 years you trying to get paid that’s what general America is saying weird you both have moved on… your kids are adults it’s a different world now … why is HE SO ANGRY.”
According to People, for weeks Britney’s fans have expressed concern about the 43-year-old star’s condition as she’s continued to post her signature dance videos amid cryptic messages about the two sons she shared with Federline, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19. In addition, in a video posted on Oct. 7, Spears appeared to have bruises on her arms, bandages on both hands and on her right knee.
“Psss I fell down the stairs at my friend’s house… it was horrible… it snaps out now and then, not sure if it’s broken but for now it’s snapped in !!!,” she wrote in a TikTok post featuring her injuries.
In an Oct. 19 post, Spears also wrote about a four-month rehab stint she spent in 2018 in the midst of her 13-year conservatorship, claiming that, “I do feel like my wings were taken away and brain damage happened to me a long time ago 100 percent… I have of course moved on from that troubling time in my life and I’m blessed to be alive,” without elaborating on the time frame or nature of the reported brain injury.
Federline’s memoir features a variety of shocking claims about Spears, including allegations that she drank wine while she was pregnant with their children and did cocaine while she was breastfeeding. Spears’ team pushed back at the stories from the KFed memoir that leaked before publication, claiming that “once again he [Federline] and others are profiting off her and sadly it comes after child support has ended with Kevin. All she cares about are her kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James and their well-being during this sensationalism. She detailed her journey in her memoir.”
Trending on Billboard
Triple J has unveiled the nominees for the 2025 J Awards, recognizing standout achievements across Australian music and kicking off Ausmusic Month programming throughout November.
Now in its 21st year, the J Awards highlight excellence in recorded music, live performance and video, as well as emerging talent via triple j Unearthed. This year’s nominees span five categories: Australian Album of the Year, Unearthed Artist of the Year, Double J Artist of the Year, Australian Music Video of the Year (presented by rage and triple j), and Australian Live Act of the Year.
Related
The shortlist for Album of the Year includes DJANDJAY by Baker Boy, Deadbeat by Tame Impala, If That Makes Sense by Spacey Jane, Now Would Be A Good Time by Folk Bitch Trio, Look At Me Now by ONEFOUR, and Light hit my face like a straight right by Mallrat, among others. The list reflects a mix of charting acts and breakthrough names across hip-hop, indie rock, electronic and experimental pop.
In the Unearthed Artist of the Year category, Don West, Darcie Haven, Sam Alfred, Folk Bitch Trio, and PLAYLUNCH are all in the running. Meanwhile, punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers lead the Double J Artist of the Year field alongside Paul Kelly, Gordi, Meg Washington, and Emily Wurramara.
On the visual side, five acts are nominated for Music Video of the Year, including Ninajirachi’s “Fuck My Computer,” RONA.’s “Show Me” and Ecca Vandal’s “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE.”
Triple J also named four nominees for Australian Live Act of the Year: Amyl and the Sniffers, Ball Park Music, Miss Kaninna and hardcore group SPEED.
Winners will be revealed on Wednesday, Nov. 12, starting at 3:30 p.m. AEDT, following deliberation by music and on-air teams across triple j, Unearthed, Double J and rage.
In addition to the awards, triple j’s Ausmusic Month celebrations include the “triple j 50 tour,” which hits Hobart, Newcastle, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Torquay with performances from Ninajirachi, Tkay Maidza, Mallrat and more. Local acts will also take over weekly segments like Like a Version, Live at the Wireless and Friday Mix, culminating with Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on Nov. 27.
2025 J Awards Nominees
triple j Australian Album of the Year
Baker Boy – DJANDJAY
Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time
grentperez – Backflips in a Restaurant
Mallrat – Light hit my face like a straight right
Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
ONEFOUR – Look At Me Now
Spacey Jane – If That Makes Sense
Tame Impala – Deadbeat
The Rions – Everything Every Single Day
Thornhill – BODIES
Unearthed Artist of the Year
Don West
Darcie Haven
Sam Alfred
Folk Bitch Trio
PLAYLUNCH
Double J Australian Artist of the Year
Amyl and The Sniffers
Emily Wurramara
Gordi
Meg Washington
Paul Kelly
rage and triple j Australian Music Video of the Year
Drifting Clouds – “Bawuypawuy” (dir. Matt Sav)
Ecca Vandal – “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE” (dirs. Ecca Vandal and Richie Buxton)
Ninajirachi – “Fuck My Computer” (dir. Ball Bass John)
PLAYLUNCH – “Keith” (dir. Riley Nimbs)
RONA. – “Show Me” (dir. Tyson Perkins)
triple j Australian Live Act of the Year
Amyl and The Sniffers
Ball Park Music
Miss Kaninna
SPEED
For more information and full Ausmusic Month programming, visit triple j’s official website.
