State Champ Radio News
Page: 431
Pitbull surprised Shakira‘s fans on Friday (May 16) by opening the Colombian superstar’s concert at MetLife Stadium with a rocker set of his own that included songs such as “Hotel Room Service,” Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” and guitar riffs of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” The Cuban-American star was announced as a special guest, but […]
Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, has spoken out in defense of his wife’s harrowing testimony recounting her alleged abuse at the hands of Diddy during the Bad Boy mogul’s trial.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Fine released a statement on Friday (May 16) as Cassie’s four-day stint on the stand came to a close via his wife’s attorney, Doug Wigdor.
“I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass,” he said. “I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her. You did not break her spirit nor her smile.”
Fine continued: “I did not save Cassie, as some have said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence, and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her.”
Alex Fine was present in court for all four days his wife was on the stand this week, as day five of the trial wrapped up on Friday.
“All I have done is love her as she has loved me. Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter and our family,” he added. “This horrific chapter is forever put behind us, and we will not be making additional statements. We appreciate all of the love and support we have received, and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom.”
The first week of Diddy’s trial finished on Friday as Cassie was cross-examined by Combs’ attorneys and grilled about various horrifying events and alleged abuse she recalled throughout her four-day testimony.
Looking to put this chapter of her life behind her once and for all, Cassie also released a statement via her attorney about the “challenging” yet “empowering and healing” week she experienced on the stand while digging up painful memories.
“This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me. I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear,” she said via Wigdor. “For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget.”
Cassie continued: “I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support, and am grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received. I am glad to put this chapter of my life to rest as I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy, I ask for privacy for me and for my growing family.”
The “Me & U” singer’s testimony ended with Cassie sobbing as she thought about how life would be if she never participated in the alleged days-long “freak-offs” allegedly orchestrated by Diddy.
Cassie and Diddy started dating on and off in 2007 and broke up for good in 2018, bringing the tumultuous relationship to a close. Cassie married Alex Fine in 2019, and the couple is expecting their third child together in the coming weeks.
Diddy is facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Combs’ trial will resume in court on Monday (May 19). If found guilty on all counts, he potentially faces life in prison.
Jonah Kagen reigns on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart for the first time, topping the May 24-dated survey with “God Needs the Devil.”
The song, which rises a spot, marks Kagen’s first ruler on any Billboard ranking, earned with his second charted title. Previously, Kagen spent a week on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs in 2021 with the Matoma collaboration “Summer Feeling.”
Kagen becomes the sixth act to rule Alternative Airplay for the first time in 2025. Almost Monday accomplished the feat first in February (“Can’t Slow Down”), followed by Justice and Tame Impala (both on “Neverender” in March), Balu Brigada (“So Cold,” March) and Lola Young (“Messy,” April). Of that group, Justice, Balu Brigada and Young led in their first appearances on the list, like Kagen.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Roughly halfway through 2025, the year is the best for acts notching inaugural Alternative Airplay No. 1s with their first entries on the chart in five years; in 2020, Absofacto, White Reaper, Sub Urban and All Time Low all reigned on their first tries.
Trending on Billboard
Kagen’s 29-week trip to No. 1 is the lengthiest since 2023, when Bad Omens’ “Just Pretend” took 32 weeks.
Concurrently, “God Needs the Devil” lifts 9-8 for a new high on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 2.6 million audience impressions, up 10%, in the week ending May 15, according to Luminate. The song peaked at No. 22 on Adult Alternative Airplay in November.
“God Needs the Devil” is on Kagen’s EP Black Dress, which was released in November and has earned 27,000 equivalent album units to date.
All Billboard charts dated May 24 will update on Tuesday, May 20, on Billboard.com.
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Gushing Over Karol G
Thalia reacted to Karol G’s Netflix documentary, Tomorrow Was Beautiful, with a heartfelt post on social media. “Seeing you shine and hearing that, in some way, I was part of your inspiration touched me to the core,” the Mexican singer and actress expressed. “Thank you for that lovely detail in your documentary. You also inspire me with your strength, your authenticity, and that enormous heart you put into everything you do.”
In the documentary, a young Karol G is seen talking about Thalia’s impact and even singing “Piel Morena” during a local TV interview. “How beautiful it is to see how women can push each other forward, rise up, and celebrate every step together. Here I am, always applauding and admiring you, beautiful babe. Keep flying high, this is just the beginning!” Thalia continued.
Trending on Billboard
@thalia @Karol G… verte brillar y escuchar que, de alguna manera, fui parte de tu inspiración me emocionó hasta el alma. Gracias por ese detalle tan lindo en tu documental. Tú también me inspiras con tu fuerza, tu autenticidad y ese corazón gigante que dejas en todo lo que haces. ❤️ Qué hermoso es ver cómo las mujeres podemos impulsarnos, elevarnos y celebrar juntas cada paso. Aquí estoy, siempre aplaudiéndote y admirándote, bichota hermosa. ¡Sigue volando alto, que esto apenas comienza! #MujeresQuelnspiran #OrgulloLatino #BichotaPower ♬ sonido original – Thalia
Blessing the Block
Fuerza Regida’s frontman Jesus Ortiz Paz (JOP) hit the streets for his birthday that took place on May 13. But, instead of flaunting his gifts on social media, he opted to give back to the community. In a short clip posted on social media, the Mexican-American singer is seen giving one of his neighbors money, to which she reacts with a thank you, wishes him a happy birthday, and gives him a tight hug. “Blessed the block for his birthday,” reads the video’s caption on TikTok.
Also this week, Fuerza Regida’s new studio album, 111XPANTIA, debuted No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, becoming the highest-charting Regional Mexican album on the chart and highest-charting Spanish-language album ever by a duo or group. Watch the sweet JOP and vecina encounter below:
Taking Over New York City
This week, the Empire State Building in New York City honored Gloria Estefan’s 50-year music career. In celebration, the iconic building lit up in blue, green, and hot pink to not only tribute her five decades in music, but also commemorate all of her No. 1 hits, including “Raíces,” which is currently at the top of the Billboard Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay, and Tropical Airplay charts. “Wow wow!!! Thank you Empire State Buildingfor lighting up theNew York sky in celebration of 5 decades of No.1s. We feel the love!!” the Cuban-American artist expressed, along with a recap video of her, and Emilio Estefan Jr.s, visit to the coveted building.
Gloria Estefan visits the Empire State Building on May 12, 2025 in New York City.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust
Celebrating a Queen
Olga Tañón has been named the Queen of the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade set to be celebrated along fifth avenue in New York City on Sunday, June 8. The Puerto Rican merengue star, who was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards, “will lead the parade alongside other notable figures, sharing a day of music, pride, and celebration with her people,” according to an official statement.
“Being part of this tradition that celebrates with such love our roots, culture, and the unbreakable spirit of Puerto Ricans in the diaspora is an immense gift,” the renowned “Mujer de Fuego” (woman of fire) expressed on Instagram. “My heartfelt thanks to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade for this special distinction. Let’s bring all our love, commitment, flavor, and fire! Let’s represent it properly!”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Another American Idol finale is almost here. Season 23 premiered on March 2 with hundreds of auditions, and now, just three artists are left. The finale will not only feature performances from the top three singers — Jamal Roberts, Breanna Nix and John Foster — but will also have a wide range of special guests that will take the stage on Sunday including: Jelly Roll, Jessica Simpson, Salt-N-Pepa, Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and more.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
In addition, the three Idol judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie will perform together. To make sure you don’t miss a moment of this jam-packed finale, we’ve gathered all the information you need to tune in to American Idol this weekend.
Trending on Billboard
When Is the American Idol Season 23 Finale?
The American Idol season finale airs live coast to coast this Sunday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. It’s a three-hour event, so that means the winner won’t be announced until around 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.
Who Are the Top 3 Contestants?
The top 3 artists looking to become the next American Idol are Jamal Roberts, Breanna Nix and John Foster. Who will take home the coveted title?
How to Watch the American Idol Season Finale
The season 23 finale of American Idol airs Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. Because the show is on network television, you can watch with an indoor HD antenna, and through cable, satellite or a streaming subscription that has ABC.
If you’ve been itching to getting rid of cable, but don’t want to end up spending hundreds of dollars a month, there are a few ways to watch American Idol online without needing cable.
We like DirecTV, which offers access to 90+ channels, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, HGTV, MTV, AMC, A&E, TLC, ID, OWN, CNN, Univision and more, plus thousands of movies and shows on-demand. The subscription is free trial for five days, so you can stream American Idol and other shows for free for a limited time.
You can also watch American Idol online through a streaming service like Fubo and SlingTV, which both offer a live feed of ABC as part of its channel lineup. Fubo has a seven-day free trial that you can use to livestream American Idol online free.
How to Watch American Idol on Hulu
Those who miss Sunday’s episodes can stream it on Hulu the next day. Not subscribed? Hulu’s most popular plan is currently $9.99 per month after a free trial. Hulu also offers ad-free streaming for $18.99 per month, plus student discounts and bundle deals with Disney+ and ESPN+.
The best deal right now is this Disney+ and Hulu bundle, which is discounted to just $2.99/month for your first four months. See more details here.
Looking for live channels? Hulu + Live TV gets you 90+ channels, along with access to Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ for less than $90 a month. You can watch American Idol on Hulu with a live ABC feed.
Stream network TV shows, cable, sports and more with Hulu + Live TV, in addition to tons of movies and Hulu exclusives such as Sho-gun, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, The Bear, Black Twitter: A People’s History, Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid’s Tale, Death & Other Details, The Kardashians and more.
Hulu subscribers can add Starz, Max and other channels to Hulu, create up to six profiles under one account and stream from up to two different screens at the same time.
The winner of American Idol typically receives a cash prize and gets offered a record deal, though the exact details of this year’s prize has yet to be announced. Watch American Idol online with a free trial to Fubo here.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, faced probing questions about her financial motivations on her last day of testimony in the rapper’s sex-trafficking trial on Friday (May 16), while Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard also took the stand and said she witnessed Combs abusing Ventura.
Richard’s testimony closed out the first week of Combs’ much-awaited criminal trial, in which the music mogul is accused of coercing Ventura and other women into participating in drug-fueled sex shows known as “freak-offs.” R&B singer Ventura, the prosecution’s star witness, spent four days on the stand detailing how Combs allegedly controlled and physically abused her during their 11-year relationship.
Ventura faced her second and final day of cross-examination on Friday from Combs’ attorney Anna Estevao, according to the Associated Press and the New York Times. Defense lawyers had previously suggested they may want to keep questioning Ventura next week, but backed off the request after prosecutors flagged concerns that the very pregnant Ventura might go into labor over the weekend.
Trending on Billboard
Continuing a strategy from the first day of cross-examination, Estevao confronted Ventura with more seemingly loving text messages between her and Combs. Some appeared to support the defense’s theory that the pair’s sex life, while unconventional, was consensual.
“I don’t want to freak off for the last time,” Ventura wrote in one such text to Combs. “I want it to be the first time for the rest of our lives.”
Estevao also tried to imply that Ventura is motivated by money to lie about her experience with Combs, getting the witness to reveal for the first time that she’s getting a $10 million settlement from the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, where Combs was seen beating Ventura in infamous video footage from 2016.
The newly-revealed $10 million settlement is on top of a $20 million civil payout Ventura got from Combs himself after she sued the rapper in 2023. Estevao noted Friday that Ventura canceled an upcoming concert tour soon after inking that settlement.
“As soon as you saw that you were going to get the $20 million, you canceled the tour because you didn’t need it anymore, right?” Estevao asked Ventura.
“That wasn’t the reason why,” Ventura replied.
When prosecutors got another chance to question Ventura on re-direct examination later on Friday, she explained that she would give the money back if she could reverse Combs’ abuse. “If I never had to have freak-offs I would have agency and autonomy,” Ventura said.
After Ventura completed her testimony, her attorney, Douglas Wigdor, shared a statement from the singer: “This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me,” Ventura wrote. “I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear. For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember, and the more I can remember, the more I will never forget.”
Another figure in the music world took the witness stand after Ventura departed Friday: Dawn Richard, whose girl group Danity Kane was launched by Combs’ MTV reality show Making the Band.
Richard has a pending civil lawsuit against Combs, in which she alleges he harassed and assaulted her during “years of inhumane working conditions.” But those claims aren’t part of the criminal trial; instead, Richard served as a corroborating witness for Ventura.
During her brief testimony, Richard told the jury she witnessed Combs physically assault Ventura on multiple occasions. In one 2009 encounter, Richard said she saw Combs punch, kick, drag and even try to hit Ventura on the head with a cooking skillet.
The trial is expected to pick up Monday (May 19) with testimony from Ventura’s longtime friend Kerry Morgan, followed by other alleged victims of Combs’ freak-offs. The jury could hear evidence for up to two months total.
Barbra Streisand has recruited Paul McCartney to join forces for a new version of his 2012 single “My Valentine,” which was released Friday (May 16) via Columbia Records. “What if it rained? We didn’t care/ He said that someday soon the sun was gonna shine/ And he was right, this love of mine/ My valentine,” […]
Bad Bunny is set to take over the world with his ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ Tour and is doing a residency in Puerto Rico; Beéle leads the way at this year’s Heat Latin Music Awards alongside heavy-hitters like Bad Bunny, Feid and Karol G; and J Balvin voices a role in the anime series ‘Solo […]
Drake wants fellow Canadian rapper Tory Lanez to “come home soon” after he was stabbed multiple times in prison and hospitalized earlier this week. On his Instagram Story Friday (May 16), Drake wrote “@torylanez come home soon” while sharing a Change.org petition urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon the fellow Toronto MC, who’s currently […]
Music stocks — and stocks in general — had a terrific week as Sphere Entertainment Co., Tencent Music Entertainment and Cloud Music posted double-digit gains and the 20-company Billboard Global Music Index (BGMI) set a new high mark.
The BGMI rose 3.1% to an all-time high of 2,794.37, bringing its year-to-date gain to 31.5%. The index has overcome two downturns — one caused by an escalation of trade tensions, the other prompted by President Trump’s announcement of his tariff policy — to surpass the previous record of 2,755.53 set on Feb. 14.
Sphere Entertainment Co. gained 19.3% to $38.78. The company’s quarterly earnings, released on Monday (May 12), showed the Sphere venue was able to cut costs to offset a decline in event-related revenue. Investors cheered the result: flat operating income rather than a loss. As for tourism to Las Vegas, CEO James Dolan brushed aside concerns and said demand for Sphere concerts is strong enough to withstand a downturn should one arise.
Trending on Billboard
China’s Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) jumped 18.0% to $18.62 after the company reported on Tuesday (May 13) a 17% increase in music subscription revenue in the first quarter. Following earnings, CFRA upped its price target to $18 from $17 but downgraded its rating to “hold” from “buy.” TME, which operates Kugou Music, QQ Music and Kuwo Music, finished the quarter with 122.9 million subscribers, up 8.3% from the prior-year period.
Another Chinese music streamer, Netease Cloud Music, rose 12.6% to 203.40 HKD ($26.03) after the company’s financial results, released on Thursday (May 15), showed an 8.4% drop in revenue that the company attributed to a decline in its social entertainment business. The scant Q1 numbers didn’t provide details on the online music side of the business, but the two sides of the business are going in opposite directions. In 2024, social entertainment revenue fell 26% while online music revenue grew 23%.
Not only were TME and Cloud Music among the top performers of the week, they are among the biggest gainers in 2025. Year to date, TME shares are up 49.1% while Cloud Music has gained 81.3%. SM Entertainment’s 64.9% gain is the second-best amongst music stocks.
Live Nation improved 8.2% to $147.68 this week despite news that the company and AEG Presents are facing a criminal antitrust probe by the U.S. Department of Justice over pandemic-era refund policies. Live Nation shares are still well below the all-time high of $157.75 reached on Feb. 21, but they’ve gained 14.0% year to date and are up 52.9% over the last 52 weeks.
Spotify, the index’s most valuable component, rose 1.2% to $656.30. Guggenheim raised its price target to $725 from $675 on the heels of a judge’s favorable ruling in Epic Games v. Apple. Guggenheim sees the ruling, which allows Spotify to display pricing options within the iOS app, as helpful to audiobook monetization.
German concert promoter CTS Eventim gained 3.2% to 111.90 euros ($124.90). Barclays started covering the company with a 130 euro ($145.12) price target and an “overweight” rating.
Elsewhere in the index, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group gained 0.9% and 1.2%, respectively, and HYBE improved 1.9%. SiriusXM jumped 5.4%.
Only four of the BGMI’s 20 stocks lost value this week. SM Entertainment was the week’s biggest loser with a 5.2% drop. Believe fell 1.3%, Deezer dipped 1.5% and iHeartMedia dropped 1.6.%.
Stocks were up globally but performed especially well in the U.S. The Nasdaq composite rose 7.2% and the S&P 500 improved 5.3%. In the U.K., the FTSE 100 was up 1.5%. South Korea’s KOSPI composite index gained 1.9%. China’s SSE Composite Index rose 0.8%.
Investors were encouraged by a reduction of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods while the two countries continue to negotiate a trade deal. Goldman Sachs lifted its estimate for the S&P 500 on Tuesday as tensions over tariffs eased between the U.S. and China.
There is still uncertainty about the U.S. economy, however. Since last week, numerous reports have warned of a sharp slowdown at the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s busiest port. This week, Walmart CFO John David Rainey said high tariffs could cause the company to raise prices by the end of the month. And on Friday (May 16), the University of Michigan’s closely watched index of consumer sentiment fell to its second-lowest level on record.
Billboard
Billboard
Billboard
