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Rema, Ayra Starr and Tems are among the top nominees for the 2025 Headies Awards, a pan-African music awards event set for April 5 in Lagos, Nigeria. This will mark the show’s return to Africa after holding its last two ceremonies in Atlanta. The Headies Awards will be livestreamed on YouTube (U.S.) and Hip TV (Nigeria).
Odumodublvck is the top nominee with eight nods. Rema and Ayra Starr each received seven. Tems, Shallipopi and Kizz Daniel each have six.
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Wale, Skepta, Chris Brown, Travis Scott and Chloe Bailey are vying for international artist of the year.
“We are so excited about this year’s Headies Awards,” Ayo Animashaun, executive producer and founder of The Headies, said in a statement. “Our stellar lineup features dynamic artists from around the globe who have impacted their audience and the industry.”
To mark its return to Africa, The Headies Awards introduces The Headies Festival with a series of activities showcasing the best of Afrobeats and hip-hop music, entertainment and culture. The event schedule will commence on March 29, featuring events such as The Headies Stakeholder Brunch, Official Nominees Party, U.S. Consulate Reception and Afrobeats Conference and will climax with the Headies Awards ceremony.
The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, was established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
Only music materials released and distributed on digital streaming platforms, and physical music media within the eligibility period (April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024) were considered for nominations.
Here’s the complete list of nominations for the 2025 Headies Awards. For more details, visit https://theheadies.com.
Artiste of the year
Davido
Ayra Starr
Asake
Rema
Tems
Burna
Song of the year
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Commas” – Ayra Starr
“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
“Lonely at the Top” – Asake
“Ozeba” – Rema
“Big Baller” – Flavour
Album of the year
Born in the Wild – Tems
Heis – Rema
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
Rookie of the year
Zerry Dl
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Best recording of the year
Tems – “Burning”
Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”
Burna Boy – “Higher”
Ayra Starr & Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Sarz featuring Lojay – “Billions”
Best vocal performance (female)
Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Niniola – “Level”
Simi – “Stranger”
Liya – “I’m Done”
Tomorrow – “Yemi Alade”
Best vocal performance (male)
Lojay – “Billions”
Omah Lay – “Moving”
Anendlessocean – “Gratitude”
Johnny Drille – “For You”
Timi Dakolo – “Ke Na Ke So”
Best collaboration
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage Feat. Asa
“Blood on the Dance Floor” Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale
“Cast” – Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck
“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad
“Ole” – Qing Madi and Bnxn
“Twe Twe” Remix – Kizz Daniel and Davido
“IDK” – Wizkid feat. Zlatan
International artiste of the year
Wale – “Blood on the Dance Floor” (Odumodublvck)
Skepta – “Tony Montana” (feat. Portable)
Chris Brown – “Hmmm” (feat. Davido)
Travis Scott – “Active” (Asake)
Chloe Bailey – “Vision” remix (Qing Madi)
Music video of the year
“Charm” – Rema (Rema X Perliks X Folarin Oludare)
“Metaverse” – Olamide (Jyde Ajala)
“Like Ice Spice” – Blaqbonez (Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine)
“Ojapiano” – Kcee (Mattmax)
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad (Director Pink)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel (Tg Omori)
“Na Money” – Davido feat. Cavemen, Angelique Kidjo (Dammy Twitch)
Songwriter of the year
Simisola Kosoko – “Stranger” (Simi)
Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – “Vision” (Qing Madi)
Michael Ajuma Attah – “Can’t Breathe” (Llona)
Emoseh Khamofu – “Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life” (Wizard Chan)
Producer of the year
Sarz – “Happiness”
London – “Ozeba”
Magicstick – “Basquiat”
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Kilmberboy – “Hehehe”
Dibs – “Different Pattern”
Best R&B single
Qing Madi – “Vision”
Johnny Drille – “For You”
Simi – “Stranger”
Tems – “Burning”
Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” feat. Giveon
Best rap single
“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipoppi
“Blood on the Dance Floor” feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Odumodublvck
“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo
“Canada” – Magnito
“Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq
Best street-hop artiste
Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”
Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy Dl)
Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)
Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”
Mohbad – “Ask About Me”
Afrobeats single of the year
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” feat. Mohbad – Chike
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi” remix – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel feat. Davido
“Big Baller” – Flavor
Lyricist on the roll
Mogadishu – A-Q
Chocolate City Cypher – M.I Abaga
Chocolate City Cypher – Blaqbonez
Hallelujah – Ladipoe
Efeleme – Alpha Ojini
Best inspirational single
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“Worthy of My Praise” – Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor
“Good God 2” – Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine
“Particularly” – Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi
“You Do This One” – Mercy Chinwo
Headies’ viewers’ choice
“Big Big Things” feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez – Young Jonn
“Ogechi” remix feat. Davido – Hyce, Boypee, And Brown Joel
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“Ozeba” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipopi
“Dealer” feat. Fireboy Dml – Ayo Maff
“Big Baller” – Flavour
Best West African artiste of the year
Black Sherif (Ghana) – “January 9th”
King Promise (Ghana) – “Terminator”
Himra (Ivory Coast) – “Coulibaly & Diabaté”
Josey (Ivory Coast) – “Venez Bouger”
Toofan (Togo) – “Tone”
Best East African artiste of the year
Bien (Kenya) – “Wahala”
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – “Mapoz”
Juma Jux (Tanzania) – “Enjoy”
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) – “When She’s Around”
Azawi (Uganda) – “Masavu”
Best North African artiste of the year
Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt) – “Arabi”
Elgrande Toto (Morocco) – “Maghribi”
Soolking (Algeria) – “Tiki Taka”
Balti (Tunisia) – “Dima Mechi”
Abu (Eygpt) – “Hollela”
Best Southern African artiste of the year
Titom (South Africa) –“Tshwala Bam”
Yuppe (South Africa) – “Tshwala Bam”
Tyla (South Africa) – “Water”
Kelly Kay (Malawi) – “Bana Pwanya”
Plutonio (Mozambique) – “Acordar”
Zee Nxumalo (South Africa) – “Thula Mabota”
Best Central African artiste of the year
Innoss’b (DRC) – “Sete”
Gaz Mawete (DRC) – “Dendisa”
Emma’a (Gabon) – “Biso Mibale”
Eboloko (Gabon) – “Satanana”
Singuila. (Central African Republic) – “Sin Saison”
Kocee (Cameroun) – “Credit Alert”
Best rap album
Sideh Kai – Illbliss
Eziokwu – Odumodublvck
Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1 – Reminisce
Family Time – Erigga
Shiny Object Syndrome – Modenine
Soundtrack of the year
Eledumare – Teledalese (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
Lose to Gain – Kaline (Breath of Life)
Kill Boro – Native Filmworks & Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
Orisa – Beriola (Orisa)
Emotions – Tiwa Savage & Asa (Water and Garri)
Tribe Called Judah soundtrack – TCJ & Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah)
Next rated
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Odumodublvck
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Afrobeats album of the year
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turn 21 – Ayra Starr
Heis – Rema
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Best performer (live)
Rema – Ravage Uprising: Rema Live From The O2, London
Omah Lay – Live at L’olympia Paris
Flavour – Celebrating You 2023
Wizard Chan – Live in Concert Port Harcourt
Burna Boy – African Giant Live From London
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force – Nuits De Fourvière (Arte Concert)
Digital artiste of the year
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Special recognition
Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo A.K.A Kcee
Frances Tiafoe never considered himself to be a Swiftie. But after the world’s No. 18-ranked tennis pro met Taylor Swift at a Kansas City Chief’s game at Arrowhead Stadium last November — where the singer was cheering on her boyfriend KC tight end Travis Kelce — he came away super impressed, and seemingly pretty buzzed.
In an interview with Tennis TV this week, Tiafoe revealed that not only is Taylor a great hang, she can also toss ’em back like a pro. “We go into this suite, and the first person we see in this suite is Taylor,” Tiafoe, 27, said of the game he attended with his girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield.
“We were drinking all day together. She was so cool. One of the most humble people for who she is. Super down to earth. Hopefully, we can do that again,” Tiafoe said, admitting he wasn’t a big fan of the singer before they met. “It’s crazy because, you know like, I’m not even saying I’m a Swiftie, but like, I appreciate greatness so much,” he admitted. “Seeing how cool she was, she’s got my ultimate respect.”
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Not only did they enjoy a few beverages, but singer/songwriter/actress/baker Swift also impressed Tiafoe by being “very knowledgable” about tennis, he said, noting that the singer told him she’d wanted to see him play in the final at last year’s U.S. Open, which he narrowly missed after losing in five sets to fellow American Taylor Fritz.
“And she was like, ‘Trav loves you,’” he added.
After wrapping her historic Eras Tour in December, and falling to the Eagles in this month’s Super Bowl LIX, Swift and Kelce, respectively, are seemingly taking some well-deserved time off to recharge.
Tate McRae is having a moment. With her latest album, So Close To What, surging toward the top of the Billboard 200, the singer-songwriter stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday (Feb. 25) to reflect on her whirlwind year.
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During her chat with Fallon, McRae reflected on her first time performing with boyfriend and fellow singer, The Kid Laroi, who appears on her new album, as well as the shock of discovering her entire project had leaked weeks before release.
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McRae and Laroi’s collaboration, “I Know Love,” marks their first official duet, but the singer admitted to Fallon that singing together didn’t come as naturally as some might expect.
“It was a little nerve-wracking,” she told Fallon. “I mean, the first time we ever sang in front of each other was actually at my MSG show last year.”
She described the awkwardness of rehearsing for that moment. “You just, like, fake sing in front of each other all the time,” she said. “So, like, even when we were at our show last year, we were sitting in soundcheck like, ‘Are you going to sing first?’”
McRae laughed as she recalled their time in the studio together. “It was the same kind of situation in the studio. I was just like, ‘Can you, like, not listen?’”
Beyond the excitement of her new album and collaboration, McRae also opened up about a nightmare scenario for any artist—her album leaking weeks before its official release. “I was sitting in the bathtub, and I get a DM from one of my fans, and they were just like, ‘Here’s the link to the whole album,’” she revealed. “And it was like five weeks till the album was gonna drop.”
“I call my mom, call my therapist,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s just hard because I feel like it takes away all your control as an artist. You want to deliver your art exactly how you want it to come out.”
Despite the setback, McRae took the situation in stride. “I feel like we turned it around and added some more songs,” she said. “I think that’s the only thing you can really do in a situation like this, is just take advantage of it.”
Fallon then shifted gears, bringing up an unexpected feature on the album—Sydney Sweeney’s surprise cameo on So Close To What track “Miss Possessive.” “I was in Pilates and ran into Glen Powell,” McRae explained. “He was like, ‘Oh my God, I was just talking about you with Sydney Sweeney!’”
To her shock, Powell pulled out his phone to reveal that Sweeney had sent him a voice memo about McRae. “Sydney was like, ‘I’m obsessed with Tate McRae!’”
That moment led to McRae recruiting the Euphoria star for a voice cameo. “So, I got her to be on the song!” she said.
Millie Bobby Brown knows what it’s like to grow up under a microscope after catapulting to fame for her role in Netflix’s Stranger Things, so it’s no surprise she once felt a connection to pop icon Britney Spears, who also found herself navigating worldwide stardom as a teenager.
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While Brown has expressed interest in portraying the pop icon previously, she’s now making it clear: Spears’ story is one only Spears herself should tell.
Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of The Electric State on Feb. 24, Brown revisited whether she’d like to play Spears in an upcoming biopic in an interview with Access Hollywood. “I mean, she is an absolute icon. I would love nothing more than to be a part of her story,” Brown said. “But that’s her story, and I am in full support of her bringing her story to life how she wants to.”
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Brown’s comments come after a 2022 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she first revealed that her “dream role” would be playing Spears on screen. At the time, she explained why she felt connected to the singer’s journey.
“Growing up in the public eye, watching her videos, watching interviews of her when she was young… I see the scramble for words,” she told Barrymore. “And I don’t know her, but when I look at pictures of her, I feel like I could tell her story in the right way — and hers only.”
The response from Spears was swift. The following day, the “Toxic” singer took to Instagram with a post many assumed was directed at Brown. “I hear about people wanting to do movies about my life… dude, I’m not dead!!!” she wrote.
Since then, Spears has taken control of her own narrative. Universal Pictures secured the rights to her best-selling memoir The Woman in Me and announced in August 2024 that a biopic was officially in development, directed by Wicked filmmaker Jon M. Chu.
Spears herself confirmed the news, writing on X, “Excited to share with my fans that I’ve been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt. He’s always made my favorite movies … stay tuned.”
Meanwhile, The Electric State, Brown’s latest film, arrives on Netflix on March 14.
Just weeks after confirming a reunion tour, Rilo Kiley have expanded their tour and announced a new compilation album.
After having their plans for a reunion tour announcement prematurely leaked due to an early reveal of the lineup to California’s Just Like Heaven festival, Rilo Kiley officially confirmed their comeback in early February by detailing a ten-date run of U.S. shows.
“It’s going to be wonderful for us, like going back to the purest version of yourself, that early 20s place where everything is possible,” explained vocalist Jenny Lewis. “You’re in a van and Jason’s got the map, Pierre is behind the wheel, and I’m on the shitty acoustic guitar on the bench seat working out a new song with Blake. I don’t think it’s ever been as good as that, when it was just us against the world.”
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Dubbed the Sometimes When You’re On, You’re Really Fucking On Tour in honor of their track “A Better Son/Daughter,” the tour’s announcement also came accompanied by word the band would be reissuing their second album, The Execution of All Things. This new version – subtitled the Frozen Lake Edition – will arrive via Saddle Creek Records on April 25.
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Now, the band have expanded their plans further, continuing their reunion with an additional series of shows in September. Expanding their original run with an extra date in Seattle on May 24, Rilo Kiley will reconvene after summer and perform 13 shows throughout September. Few support acts have been announced for the upcoming gigs, with the band’s May date at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre seeing them joined by Julien Baker and Torres, and their performance at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater featuring the Mountain Goats.
“Planning this reunion over these past months has been like reconnecting with family. We haven’t missed a beat,” bassist Pierre de Reeder said in a statement. “The stakes are only to have a good time, to revel in this nostalgia. Getting to revisit and celebrate the music from that special time of our lives while experiencing it alongside a lot of people that lived it with us back when, and new folks alike.”
The new dates have also been paired news of a new greatest hits-style compilation album, with That’s How We Choose to Remember It scheduled to arrive via Saddle Creek on May 9.
Rilo Kiley first formed in 1998 with actress and musician Lewis joined by Reeder, guitarist Blake Sennett and drummer Dave Rock. Jason Boesel would replace rock in 2001.
The group rose to fame throughout the ’00s, releasing a total of four albums, including their 2001 debut Take Offs and Landings and its 2002 follow-up The Execution of All Things. While 2004’s More Adventurous would give them their debut on the Billboard 200 (albeit at No. 161), 2007 album Under the Blacklight was their most commercially successful, reaching No. 22 on the charts.
The group would play their final show in June 2008, later announcing they had embarked upon a hiatus. In 2013, however, it was confirmed they had in fact disbanded. During their hiatus, Lewis focused on her solo career, releasing a total of four albums since 2008, and reuniting with The Postal Service for shows in 2013 and 2023.
Rilo Kiley – Sometimes When You’re On, You’re Really Fucking On Tour Dates
May 5 – Fremont Theatre, San Luis Obispo, CAMay 7 – Libbey Bowl, Ojai, CAMay 10 – Just Like Heaven, Pasadena, CAMay 12 – The Van Buren, Phoenix, AZMay 14 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, COMay 16 – Kilby Block Party, Salt Lake City, UTMay 17 – Treefort Music Fest, Boise, IDMay 19 – Center for the Arts, Jackson, WYMay 21 – Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC, CanadaMay 23 – McMenamins Grand Lodge, Portland, ORMay 24 – Chateau Ste. Michelle, Seattle, WASeptember 3 – College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CTSeptember 4 – The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PASeptember 7 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MASeptember 8 – SummerStage @ Central Park, New York, NYSeptember 10 – The Anthem, Washington, DCSeptember 11 – Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh, PASeptember 13 – Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville, KYSeptember 16 – Palace Theatre, Saint Paul, MNSeptember 17 – The Astro, La Vista, NESeptember 21 – Sing Out Loud Festival, St. Augustine, FLSeptember 23 – The Pinnacle, Nashville, TNSeptember 24 – Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NCSeptember 26 – The Eastern, Atlanta, GA
Drake has called off the remaining dates of his current tour of Australia and New Zealand.
News of the postponement comes just hours after the OVO rapper wrapped up a performance in Brisbane, which itself took place alongside swirling rumors of an impending premature end to the trek.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 26 (Australian time), it was confirmed that Drake has indeed axed the remaining dates of his tour Down Under.
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Per Rolling Stone AU/NZ, a statement from the musician’s representatives has confirmed the remaining four shows on his sold-out 16-date Anita Max Win Tour have been axed due to a “scheduling conflict”. The rep added, “We are actively working on rescheduling these dates along with adding some additional shows.”
“All tickets for the affected shows will remain valid for the new dates,” the statement continued. “Refunds will be available for those who prefer, but please note that as these shows are sold out, any refunded tickets will be released for sale.
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“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. Drake and the entire team have had an incredible time doing these shows and are excited to return soon. We look forward to sharing the rescheduled dates with you as soon as possible.”
Drake’s Australian tour launched on Feb. 4 with two nights in Perth, and was followed by four shows each in Melbourne and Sydney, and an additional two dates in Brisbane. Further shows in Sydney and Brisbane were planned for next week, with an already-postponed pair of dates in Auckland, New Zealand scheduled for mid-March. The tour was Drake’s first visit to both Australia and New Zealand since 2017.
The run of dates has also been making headlines thanks to the 6 God’s generosity towards fans during his concerts. He previously handed out $20,000 to a pair of fans in Perth, gave $45,000 to some OVO faithful in Melbourne and upgraded a pregnant fan to VIP in Sydney and blessed her with $30,000 ahead of her baby’s arrival. Most recently, he promised to look after the cancer treatment of a fan’s mother while in Brisbane.
The Anita Max Win Tour is named after a viral moment from Drake’s December 2023 livestream on Kick, where he introduced a new “alter ego” named Anita Max Win. The name is a playful pun on the gambling phrase “I need a max win,” referring to hitting the maximum payout on a slot machine.
Tom Waits has added his talents to the final episode of Italian documentary series, Il Fattore Umano (The Human Factor), with his work accompanying stories of homelessness in America. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The eight-part series, created by the Italian public television channel RAI3, offers […]
The South by Southwest Music Festival has announced that Chinese singer-songwriter Tia Ray will take the stage on March 11 as part of International Nights at Rivian Park. As the only invited artist from mainland China, she will headline the festival and deliver a grand finale performance for music enthusiasts worldwide, alongside international talents such […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scrutinizing iHeartMedia’s upcoming iHeartCountry Festival in Austin as part of an investigation into whether radio stations have been offering airplay to artists in exchange for free shows.
In a lengthy letter sent Monday (Feb. 24) to iHeartMedia chairman/CEO Robert Pittman, FCC chairman Brendan Carr — who was appointed to the FCC board in 2023 by former President Joe Biden and promoted to chairman via an executive order from President Donald Trump on Jan. 21 — said he “want[s] to know whether iHeart is effectively and secretly forcing musicians to choose between, one, receiving their usual, ordinary, and full scale compensation for performing or, two, receiving less favorable airplay on iHeart radio stations.”
Carr went on to note that “certain owners of federally licensed radio stations are effectively compelling musicians to perform at radio station events or festivals for free (or for reduced compensation) in exchange for more favorable airplay,” a practice he warned violated federal bans on practices like payola.
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The letter follows a previous letter sent by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) to the FCC earlier this month in which she asked the agency to take action to prevent the alleged practice, claiming it was “critically impacting Tennessee’s content creators.” The FCC subsequently issued an enforcement advisory in which it warned that promising radio play in exchange for free concerts would break federal law. The agency further said it would “consider investigating substantive allegations of payola that come to its attention.”
Traditionally, payola investigations have dealt with music labels and publishing groups paying radio stations to illegally promote commercial music and boost album sales. In 1959, popular radio personalities like Alan Freed were investigated by both the U.S. House and Senate for accepting cash “consulting fees” to play songs on the radio as requested by the shadowy radio promotion industry. In the 1970s, the investigation expanded to include the Italian mafia, whom the FCC accused of using drugs like cocaine for payola. In the 1990s, former NY District Attorney Elliot Spitzer won payola settlements against Sony, BMG and Warner Music, and won a civil lawsuit against Entercom.
Carr’s letter to iHeartMedia hints that the federal government may adopt a novel legal theory that radio promotion concerts, held by large FM radio stations in markets across the U.S., could be a form of payola. Specifically, Carr singles out the May 3 iHeartCountry Festival in Austin, Texas.
Carr’s three-page letter to iHeart included eight lengthy questions he asked Pittman to answer within 10 days. Among other things, Pittman is requesting a list of all artists playing iHeartCountry Festival at Austin’s Moody Center, how much they would normally be paid for a concert appearance and whether any of the artists “will receive better or worse airplay on iHeart radio stations based on their participation in the Festival or the compensation they receive for performing at the Festival.”
In the music business, artists’ appearances are typically delineated into two categories: promotional, or media, appearances, when an artist is promoting a new venture like an album or a film and appears on a talk show to promote that project; and paid appearances, when an artist performs or showcases their talents to audience members who have typically paid some type of admission fee. Artists aren’t usually paid for promotional appearances, and radio concerts have long been categorized by radio stations as promotional in nature and typically do not include payments.
Carr continued that he wants to learn more about the upcoming iHeart concert so that he can get “a real-world example of how such events are put together—including artist solicitation and compensation—and the procedures that are in place to ensure compliance with the relevant statutes and regulations.”
Officials with iHeartMedia responded to the letter in a statement, noting that the company looks forward to “demonstrating to the Commission how performing at the iHeartCountry Festival — or declining to do so — has no bearing on our stations’ airplay, and we do not make any overt or covert agreements about airplay with artists performing at our events.”
The iHeart statement goes on to say, “The iHeartCountry Festival provides the same kind of promotion that that we see with artists on talk shows, late night television, the Super Bowl and in digital music performances and events: the promotional value to the artists is the event itself, and, in our case, is unrelated to our radio airplay.”
This lineup at this year’s iHeartCountry Festival lineup, which is slated for May 3, includes Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Cole Swindell, Sam Hunt, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith.
Chappell Roan is still dancing at the “Pink Pony Club!”
The superstar performed the anthemic hit at the 2025 Grammy Awards, just before taking home the best new artist award.
Following the performance, in February 2025, nearly two years after its release, “Pink Pony Club” hit the top 10 on the Hot 100, jumping from No. 18 to No. 9 and becoming Roan’s second career top 10 hit, and first from Midwest Princess.
Below, find the full lyrics of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”
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I know you wanted me to stayBut I can’t ignore the crazy visions of me in LAAnd I heard that there’s a special placeWhere boys and girls can all be queens every single day
I’m having wicked dreams of leaving TennesseeHear Santa Monica, I swear it’s calling meWon’t make my mama proud, it’s gonna cause a sceneShe sees her baby girl, I know she’s gonna scream
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God, what have you done?You’re a pink pony girlAnd you dance at the clubOh mama, I’m just having funOn the stage in my heelsIt’s where I belong down at the
Pink Pony ClubI’m gonna keep on dancing at thePink Pony ClubI’m gonna keep on dancing down inWest HollywoodI’m gonna keep on dancing at thePink Pony Club, Pink Pony Club
I’m up and jaws are on the floorLovers in the bathroom and a line outside the doorBlacklights and a mirrored disco ballEvery night’s another reason why I left it all
I thank my wicked dreams a year from TennesseeOh, Santa Monica, you’ve been too good to meWon’t make my mama proud, it’s gonna cause a sceneShe sees her baby girl, I know she’s gonna scream
God, what have you done?You’re a pink pony girlAnd you dance at the clubOh mama, I’m just having funOn the stage in my heelsIt’s where I belong down at the
Pink Pony ClubI’m gonna keep on dancing at thePink Pony ClubI’m gonna keep on dancing down inWest HollywoodI’m gonna keep on dancing at thePink Pony Club, Pink Pony Club
Don’t think I’ve left you all behindStill love you and TennesseeYou’re always on my mindAnd mama, every SaturdayI can hear your southern drawl a thousand miles away, saying
God, what have you done?You’re a pink pony girlAnd you dance at the clubOh mama, I’m just having funOn the stage in my heelsIt’s where I belong down at the
Pink Pony ClubI’m gonna keep on dancing at thePink Pony ClubI’m gonna keep on dancing down inWest HollywoodI’m gonna keep on dancing at thePink Pony Club, Pink Pony Club
I’m gonna keep on dancingI’m gonna keep on dancing
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind
WRITERSDaniel Nigro, Kayleigh Rose AmstutzPUBLISHERSLyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC