State Champ Radio News
Page: 452
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.
Ever wondered how some of the biggest acts in K-pop were made? Amazon‘s documentary Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop dives deep into the inner workings of the popular music genre as seen through the eyes of legendary South Korean business executive and record producer Lee Soo Man.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Directed by Ting Poo, the one hour and 47-minute film is currently available to stream on Amazon’s Prime Video via a Prime subscription, which will run you $14.99 per month. The documentary was made available on the streaming platform on May 13.
Trending on Billboard
‘Lee Soo Man: King of K-Pop’
A brand new Amazon’s Prime Video documentary discussing the life and work of legendary music producer and businessman Lee Soo Man.
From Man’s beginnings in the traditional town of Jeonju, to his work at hallowed entertainment company SM Entertainment, the documentary chronicles the good, bad and ugly of the K-pop industry, with the hallowed producer behind the wheel. Many credit Man with starting what is known as the “Hallyu wave,” a phenomenon that speaks to the surge in popularity of South Korean culture, particularly its music, dramas and films.
Man founded SM Entertainment back in 1989. During his roughly 33 years at SM Entertainment, Man is credited with creating some of the company’s most popular groups, including Exo, Super Junior, Aespa, Girls Generation, Red Velvet, NCT, TVXQ and SHINee. The company is largely credited as a key driver of the global success of K-pop. Man left the company in March of 2023 due to a slew of logistical issues and a heated management dispute, which are briefly touched on in the documentary.
While the Hallyu movement began in the 1990s, the figurative wave has grown to monsoon levels, taking the music industry by storm. The K-pop sphere has gained major recognition over the past few years, becoming an immensely popular genre throughout the world, thanks to the work of Man and industry bigwigs like him. This documentary is a must-watch for fans of the genre who are seeking an insider’s perspective on some of their favorite groups.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Tengoku” hits No. 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated May 14, becoming one of the three songs by the band taking up the top three slots on this week’s chart.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“Tengoku” (“Heaven”) was written as the theme song for the movie Shinso wo ohanashi shimasu (“Let me tell you the truth”) starring the band’s frontman Motoki Omori alongside timelesz member Fuma Kikuchi and debuted at No. 11 last week. On this week’s tally, it rules streaming with 9,383,288 weekly streams while coming in at No. 3 for downloads, No. 2 for radio airplay, and No. 4 for video views.
The popular three-man band dominates the top three positions on this week’s Japan Hot 100 with “Lilac” following “Heaven” at No. 2 and “KUSUSHIKI” at No. 3, becoming the second act to do so. The first artist who accomplished this feat was Ado, on the chart released Aug. 17, 2022. (“New Genesis,” “Backlght,” and “I’m Invincible” at Nos. 1, 2, 3, respectively. Fun fact: Motoki Omori wrote “I’m Invincible.”)
Trending on Billboard
WEST.’s “WEST SIDE SOUL!” debuts at No. 4. The theme song for the movie URASYAIN starring all seven members of the boy band sold 236,601 copies in its first week to rule physical sales and comes in at No. 24 for radio.
DXTEEN’s “Tick-Tack” bows at No. 5. The opening theme song for the drama series Yabusaka dewa gozaimasen launches at No. 2 for sales with 90,311 copies sold and comes in at No. 8 for radio.
Other notable chart moves include Shota Shimizu’s “PUZZLE,” which rises 18-11. Released last October as the theme song for his alma mater, the song started gaining traction on TikTok and social media around April, leading to an increase in video views and streams. Streams are up to 112% and downloads to 162% from the week before.
Also, several songs by KinKi Kids have charted after the duo released its extensive catalog on streaming platforms on May 5. “Ai no katamari” comes in at No. 14, “Garasu no shonen” at No. 42, “Aisareruyori aishitai” at No. 81, “Flower” at No. 92, and “Boku no senaka niwa hane ga aru” at No. 99.
The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.
See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from May 5 to 11, here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English X account.
Profitability at K-pop company JYP Entertainment fell in the first quarter due to a lack of large tours and an album release schedule that favored young, developing artists. While revenue reached 140.8 billion KRW ($97 million), up 3% from the prior-year period, operating profit fell 42%. Operating margin — operating income as a percentage of […]
Shakira fans commuting from the TriState Area to her concerts at MetLife Stadium on Thursday and Friday (May 15-16) may need to rethink their travel plans. NJ Transit announced on Monday (May 12) it will be halting rail and bus service to the stadium for both shows. “Due to the potential rail service stoppage, NJ […]
From Missy Elliott to Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes has collaborated with plenty of icons throughout his decorated career, but now he’s got his eyes on potentially working with a fellow New York-bred rap titan in Cardi B. Bus-A-Bus linked up with Cardi B at Madison Square Garden on Monday night (May 12) as the pair […]
Singer-songwriter MAJOR. (real name Major R. Johnson Finley), who has previously found chart success on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay list, notches his first No. 1 on Gospel Airplay (dated May 17). “I Prayed for You (Said a Prayer)” jumps three spots to the top, up 13% in plays among reporting stations during the May 2-8 […]
Source: Getty Images / Boosie Badazz / Cassie
You can’t count on Boosie Badazz to deliver a hit record nowadays, but you can damn sure bet on him delivering some heada** opinions on matters.
Nobody asked Boosie Badazz what he thought about Diddy’s situation, but that isn’t stopping the “Wipe Me Down” rapper from sharing his thoughts.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Louisiana rapper dropped easily one of the dumbest takes about Cassie and Diddy ahead of the mogul’s former girlfriend taking the stand in his high-profile case.
“IF ANYTHING, THIS SHOULD BE A DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE NOT A SEX TRAFFICKING CASE,” Boosie said on the social media platform. “SHE ENJOYED THE WILD SEX PARTIES N THE EXTRAVAGANT GIFTS ON THE BACKEND. ALL OF THESE YEARS OF SEX PARTIES N YOU MEAN TO TELL ME SHE DIDNT ENJOY IT .IM CONVINCED SHE ENJOYED IT . IM PRETTY SURE SHE CAME DURING THOSE FREAK OFFS.”
He stupidly added, “IT WAS A LIFESTYLE! THIS WAS CONSENSUAL SHE WAS HIS GIRLFRIEND. TRYING TO GIVE SOMEONE LIFE N PRISON FOR THIS IS BULLSH*T!”
This isn’t the first time rapper put on his cape for the allegedly egregiously horny and now disgraced Bad Boy general.
“I feel DIDDY N JAIL FOR BASICALLY DOING WHAT EVERY OTHER FAMOUS ENTERTAINER HAS DONE ‘FLEW B****ES OUT FOR 3 SOMES,” the Louisiana rapper typed. “HE JUST FREAKIER WE ACTUALLY GO CALL WOMEN PROSTITUTES WHO FLY N WILLINGLY TO BE WITH THEY PARTNERS FOR SEX?,” Boosie said following Diddy’s arrest last September.
Social Media Reminds Boose Badazz That He Is A Trash Individual
As expected, social media quickly dragged Boosie, reminding him of his questionable behavior regarding his minor son and nephew.
“He’s the same one who hired women to perform sex acts on his minor sons. I am not surprised he’s defending this,” one person wrote in response to Boosie’s thoughts on Diddy.
Another person wrote, “Every defense is a confession.”
Where’s the lie?
We wished Boosie would just shut the hell up. Nothing good ever comes out of his mouth.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
2. Mmmmhmmmm
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Charli xcx is ready to throw a party 4 her fourth studio album, How I’m Feeling Now, which celebrates its fifth birthday Thursday (May 15) amid the viral resurgence of one of its tracks — for which the musician has announced a new music video.
In a heartfelt handwritten letter posted to Instagram Wednesday (May 14), the pop star first opened up about crafting her 2020 LP, the release of which she wrote “honestly just feels like yesterday.” “So much has changed since then: me, my life, elements of my music and most definitely the world,” Charli wrote.
“I made the album in just five weeks, from conception to release, entirely publicly in collaboration with all of you,” she continued of crafting the album at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was so special. I felt like I rediscovered myself, my sanity + my sense of connection with the world, at a time where we were all so alone.”
Trending on Billboard
Though far from her most commercially successful, How I’m Feeling Now is one of Charli’s most beloved works among her fanbase. Released four years before she’d experience a career breakthrough with 2024 year-defining album Brat, the LP peaked at No. 111 on the Billboard 200.
In recent months, however, the album has undergone a renaissance thanks to one of its tracks in particular: “party 4 u,” which made its Billboard Hot 100 in early May a full five years after its release after going viral on TikTok. On the chart dated May 17, 2025, it reached a new peak at No. 55.
With the well-timed retroactive success of “party 4 u,” Charli went on to announce Wednesday that she has a music video in the works for the half-decade-old track. Sharing a seconds-long closeup of her eyes paired with a snippet of the song, she wrote on her social media accounts, “5 years later… the party 4 u video. tomorrow.”
The news comes shortly after she shared a clip of herself running down an empty street while holding a bushel of pink balloons — a direct reference to one of the song’s lyrics — on TikTok. And in her handwritten note, the Essex-born star had hinted, “I really can’t believe that 5 years later one of the Angel favorites is having its own special moment.”
“So obviously I wanted to do something to celebrate…,” she’d continued. “This one’s for you Angels.”
The How I’m Feeling Now anniversary comes just a few weeks after Charli performed at Coachella 2025, incorporating “party 4 u” into her Weekend 2 setlist. The weekend prior, she brought Lorde, Troye Sivan and Billie Eilish on stage with her to perform their respective Brat remix collaborations: “Girl, So Confusing,” “Talk Talk” and “Guess.”
Charli is now fresh off of four nights at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on her own headlining Brat Tour. She’ll next embark on a European leg starting May 31 in Poland.
See her post about How I’m Feeling Now‘s anniversary below.
Source: California Correctional Institution / California Correctional Institution
TMZ has reported that the man allegedly responsible for attacking Tory Lanez in prison is Santino Casio, a known violent offender currently facing life behind bars.
Casio’s record reportedly includes multiple assaults on fellow inmates, with one such incident adding six years to his sentence. His reputation for violent behavior behind bars aligns with the brutality of the reported attack on Lanez. The incident has stirred speculation online, particularly from music executive Wack 100, who claimed via social media that Mexican gangs were behind the assault.
At the time of his statement, there was no official confirmation supporting that theory, though Wack cited unnamed inside sources. His comments fueled online debate but have not been backed by prison authorities or official reports.
Following the incident, Tory Lanez’s official Instagram account released shocking details about his condition. According to the post, Lanez was stabbed 14 times in various areas of his body, including his back, torso, head, and face. The severity of the attack reportedly led to two collapsed lungs. Despite the life-threatening injuries, Lanez is said to have survived and is now recovering.
The disturbing nature of this assault has drawn increased attention to prison violence and raised concerns about the safety of high-profile inmates. As investigations continue, more details are expected to emerge about the motive and whether Casio acted alone or under gang orders. Authorities have yet to make an official statement regarding Casio’s alleged involvement.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: R1 Digital / R1
Lyrical powerhouse Wale sat down for an in-depth conversation with MiAsia Symone, offering fans a rare glimpse into his life beyond the music. Known for his introspective style, the artist didn’t hold back about his personal growth, challenges, and optimism for the future.
Touching on mental health, Wale shared his current mindset, explaining, “I’m mentally aware. It’s more about empathy than anything.” Mental health has been a recurring theme in his work, and his empathy continues to fuel his creativity and personal connections.
Fatherhood has also played a pivotal role in shaping the rapper’s perspective. Speaking about parenting his 8-year-old daughter, Wale admitted, “It’s an emotional ride, for better or worse.” His love and respect for her individuality were evident as he added, “She’s so aware and smart. She’s learned how to talk her way through things without really lying. She gives me a run for my money.” Despite the challenges, he affirmed his co-parenting partnership, saying, “Her mom is a great mother, and they’re besties.”
With a new album on the horizon and his latest single, “Blanco,” hitting the airwaves, Wale reflected on his career highlights and struggles. Songs like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and mainstream hits like “No Hands” transformed his trajectory. “I don’t think a lot of people knew I could make records like that,” he noted, describing how “No Hands” became a pivotal moment for his career. Yet, he acknowledged the difficulties of navigating industry politics and recognition. “I’ve had so much success, but only one Grammy nomination. Something doesn’t add up,” he stated candidly.
Looking forward, his upcoming album promises depth and raw emotion. Wale revealed it explores themes like love, paranoia, and legacy. “I’ve put a lot of my heart into this, all the weight that’s been on me,” he said. Despite stepping away from trends, his fans remain his compass, trusting his authenticity and unique voice.
When asked about his ultimate goal, Wale kept it simple yet profound. “When it’s all said and done, I just want to be known for making great music.” That’s a legacy his loyal audience can stand behind.
Wale On Music Industry Challenges, Fatherhood, Upcoming Album and More
was originally published on
hotspotatl.com
