State Champ Radio R&B/Hip-Hop
Page: 17
Trending on Billboard A$AP Rocky once again has people wondering if he’s put a ring on it. In a new cover story interview with Perfect magazine, the rapper made a provocative claim about his longtime love Rihanna, with whom he shares three young children. When asked to describe the times when he’s felt the greatest […]
Trending on Billboard Ken Carson is back with a haunting new single just in time for Halloween. Released Oct. 31, “yes” sees the Opium rapper dive deeper into his blown-out, post-apocalyptic sound — arriving alongside his ongoing run on Playboi Carti’s Antagonist 2.0 world tour. Produced by Clif Shyne, the track delivers Carson’s signature distortion-drenched […]
Trending on Billboard
Offset has delivered a Halloween treat to fans, releasing his surprise new solo album Haunted by Fame.
Released via UMG Recordings, Haunted by Fame features guest appearances from NBA Youngboy, NoCap, and Lil Dump. Offset also dropped a horror-themed music video for lead track “Ya Digg,” directed by HousePartii, pairing eerie visuals with haunted-house production.
The Migos rapper teased the project just hours before release, writing cryptic messages on social media and sharing a masked teaser clip that hinted at the darker sonic palette.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
The 11-track project arrives just two months after his introspective third solo effort Kiari, continuing a prolific run for the Atlanta rapper. While Kiari leaned introspective, Haunted by Fame sees Offset trading raw confessionals for paranoia-laced production, distorted hooks, and sparse 808s.
Offset’s Billboard chart history includes more than 30 entries on the Hot 100 as a solo artist, though he has yet to score a No. 1 hit on the chart.
Offset has logged over 30 solo entries on the Billboard Hot 100, though he’s yet to claim a solo No. 1. His highest-charting solo cut, “Ric Flair Drip,” reached No. 13, while featured spots on hits like Tyga’s “Taste” (No. 8) and Kodak Black’s “Zeze” (No. 2) helped boost his profile.
His debut album Father of 4 opened at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in 2019 with 89,000 units, followed by Set It Off in 2023, which debuted at No. 5 with 70,000 units and hit No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Offset’s collaborative run—spanning Cardi B, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, and more—continues to keep him in rotation. And with Migos, he hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2017 with “Bad and Boujee” featuring Lil Uzi Vert.
Haunted by Fame marks Offset’s fourth solo project and second album of 2025.
Stream Haunted By Fame below.
Trending on Billboard
Travis Scott‘s recent co-sign of Tame Impala‘s Deadbeat, its first album in five years, marks the right time to reexamine the Kevin Parker’s psychedelic outfit’s long-standing relationship with rap.
Scott described Deadbeat as “the best album to come out in the last 2 years” on his Instagram Story shortly after its release on Oct. 17; it debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 this week (chart dated Nov. 1), marking Tame Impala’s third top five (and top 10) LP. Deadbeat also topped six Billboard charts, including Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums and Top Dance Albums (the act’s first entry on the latter list). Tame Impala produced The Weeknd-assisted “Skeletons” on Scott’s 2018 album Astroworld, and wrote on Instagram that he was “very proud to be on this one.”
“Tame came by the studio and he played this beat. I’ve always had this hook stuck in my f–king head. I’ve been having it stuck in my head for months and s–t. I’ve never heard a beat to ever put it on,” the Houston rapper told the crowd during Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in 2018. “And when I first heard this f–king beat, I always felt like this was the f–king song. This is one of my favorite songs on the album.” Tame Impala, John Mayer and “Skeletons” co-writer Mike Dean also performed the song and “Astrothunder” on Saturday Night Live that year.
Parker further broke down the recording process of “Skeletons” to Billboard in his 2018 cover story. “I remember going through this stuff to play to Travis, and just thought, ‘Oh, this is actually really up his alley.’ I know Travis likes his psych-rock. He likes his crusty metal guitar sound. I was struck by how much I thought it would fit Travis’ thing even though it’s not hip-hop-sounding,” said Parker, adding that “Skeletons” is “the most artistically satisfying” collaboration he’s done “because it was over a long period of time and had a lot of sessions to it. And it was fulfilling to watch.”
The Australian multi-hyphenate shares co-writing credits on “Skeletons” with Ye, for whom Parker co-wrote “Violent Crimes” on the rapper’s 2018 self-titled album. He said in his Billboard cover that designer and creative director Willo Perron introduced the two after telling Parker that Ye “wanted some psychedelic guitars…. So he took me out to [West’s] studio one day, and we just chatted for a bit, and it kind of went from there,” Parker recalled. “I was completely starstruck, obviously. I was numb with excitement…. I feel like I was so privileged to be in the room. He wasn’t totally head-in-the-clouds. He seemed really switched-on and lucid. Even though you can see him [being] all over the place, musically I always knew I was in safe hands.”
His writing credit on “Violent Crimes” (No. 27, 2018) — as well as Kid Cudi’s “Dive” (No. 80, 2020) and Don Toliver‘s “Bandit” (No. 38, 2024), both of which sample Tame Impala songs (broken down below) — and production credits on “Skeletons” (No. 47, 2018) and The Weeknd’s “Repeat After Me (Interlude)” (No. 69, 2020) from his 2020 blockbuster album After Hours have brought Tame Impala to the Hot 100 over the years. But “Dracula,” the spooky single from Deadbeat, marks Tame Impala’s first Hot 100 entry as an artist, reaching No. 33 on the chart this week. “My Old Ways” and “Loser” also debuted on the all-genre songs tally this week, at No. 56 and No. 91, respectively.
Parker was also surprised to hear Rihanna‘s cover of “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” (dubbed “Same Ol’ Mistakes”) on her 2016 magnum opus Anti, after he said in his Billboard cover story that the band thought she was going to sample or remix the cut from its 2015 critically acclaimed album Currents — not cover it. “It was only when the song came out that I was like, ‘It sounds like a cover,’” he said at the time. “I thought, ‘That’s cool, I guess that means she thought it didn’t need changing in any way.”
“I would’ve been like, ‘I couldn’t imagine doing hip-hop,’ just because I didn’t come from that world. I never really looked at it as something I could do,” he told Billboard in his cover story. “Even on the things I’ve collaborated with, they’ve still got me star-crossed.”
Billboard rounded up 13 rap songs that have sampled or interpolated Tame Impala, in order of newest to oldest.
Don Toliver, “Bandit” (2024)
Trending on Billboard Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson, roommates edition? Megan sparked rumors that she moved in with her NBA boo after posting a photo making a hand-heart with Thompson in front of a house while showing off a key. Explore See latest videos, charts and news The picture led Meg’s Wednesday (Oct. 29) […]
Trending on Billboard 50 Cent wasted no time in trolling BMF star Lil Meech after the Starz series was canceled following four seasons. 50 fired away on Instagram on Wednesday (Oct. 29) after news of the show produced by his G-Unit Film & TV division was canned. He posted a series of Photoshopped pictures featuring […]
Trending on Billboard Drake is ready to party like it’s 1993 if the Toronto Blue Jays capture their first World Series title in 32 years on Friday night (Oct. 31). The 6 God took to Instagram on Wednesday night (Oct. 29) after the Jays throttled the Dodgers 6-1 in a decisive game five to taunt […]
D Smoke and Jay Taj take a trip down memory lane while splitting a few signature dishes at Two Hommés in Inglewood, Calif. In the latest episode of Billboard‘s Takes Us Out, Smoke and Taj order grilled broccolini, plantain and crab, and lamb tacos, among other dishes. While the food was being prepared, the pair […]
Trending on Billboard
The growing prominence of faith-based/Christian hip-hop and R&B, aka Rhythm + Praise, is resonating far beyond the traditional radio airwaves. It’s making notable shifts into film, TV, sports and even the gaming world. Rhythm + Praise (R+P) artists possess the ability to marry powerful messaging with innovative sounds and, in the process, are finding their music being featured in an ever-expanding range of media — often in ways directly impacting the cultural landscape.
Sitting between gospel and contemporary Christian music (CCM), Rhythm + Praise bridges gospel with contemporary styles, offering a more modern, relatable sound for younger audiences. R+P offers an alternative to mainstream secular messages: non-traditional in format, melody, lyrics and production. Not limited to religious beliefs, these artists foster themes of hope, redemption, mental health awareness and positive living.
Related
According to Luminate, in the first 30 weeks of 2025, on-demand audio streams of songs in the core Christian/gospel genre — which were also categorized in the sub-genre of R&B/hip-hop —totaled 1.37 billion, up from 878 million during the same 30-week period in 2024. These figures are inclusive of user-generated content (UGC) streams.
Four-time Grammy winner Lecrae and Dove Award-winning artist NF have been paving the way in faith-based hip-hop for years. Both artists have individually accumulated billions of streams and video content views. Lecrae has 2.03 billion and NF has 13.28 billion on-demand official audio and video streams for all of their songs, over the course of their careers, in the U.S. through Sept. 25, according to Luminate. (Note: These figures do not include UGC streams.) Given the powerful reach of their music, both NF and Lecrae have successfully secured licensing and sync opportunities in the sports gaming arena, marketing their music via the NBA, ESPN and Madden NFL video game series.
Another example is emerging independent hip-hop artist Miles Minnick. He recently released his first album, Via Dolorosa, through his GLO label joint venture with EMPIRE. Minnick is also reaching beyond the church-going audience via his first sports gaming sync placement, “Lowkey Wildin,” with NBA 2K25. His growing base of more than 500,000 fans — aka GLO Nation — prompted the launches of his GLO Festival in the San Francisco Bay Area and his own clothing line, Christlike. Minnick also made history in March when he became the first Christian hip-hop artist to headline a stage at Rolling Loud Los Angeles.
Related
Noting that Gen-Z and millennials are demanding more uplifting content, Minnick says a major cultural shift, which he tags the “New Mainstream,” is happening. “New Mainstream isn’t just a phrase — it’s my lifestyle,” he explains. “It means putting faith at the center of culture and proving you can be bold about your beliefs while making a real impact. Whether it’s getting the stamp [of approval] collaborating with rap icon E-40, launching a label, performing at Rolling Loud or selling out tours, I’m showing the world that you don’t have to change who you are to change the world.”
Mainstream artists are also magnifying messages of faith in their music. From Drake (“God’s Plan”) and DJ Khaled (“God Did”) to Mustard (“Pray for Me”) and GloRilla, who won her first BET Award for best gospel/inspirational song (“Rain Down on Me” featuring Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard and Chandler Moore), these artists are helping to broaden the crossover space for faith-based music.
The same thing is happening on the label front. Co-founded with Ben Washer in 2004, Lecrae’s Reach Records is now seeing other music companies join the movement, including EMPIRE and Universal Music Group. Earlier this year, the latter relaunched legacy label Tamla with a faith-based hip-hop/R+P artist roster that includes Childlike Cici and Dante Pride. One of Tamla’s artists, Dove Award nominee Lee Vasi, performed at this year’s BET X 106 & Park Experience in Los Angeles. And gamma., home to Mariah Carey and Usher, established a joint venture with Grammy-winning producer Rodney Jerkins’ R+P imprint Alienz Alive with signees Alex Jean, Jon Keith, Aha Gazelle and nobigdyl.
Related
While streaming numbers are strong, streaming radio still remains an important promotional tool in expanding audience reach. And that’s thanks to shows like the Trendsetter Sense-hosted Chosen Journey on SiriusXM’s Hip-Hop Nation channel and Da Fixx on SiriusXM’s Christian hip-hop/R+P channel, Holy Culture Radio. Holy Culture owner James Rosseau Sr. partnered with SiriusXM in 2022 to cater to a burgeoning audience of more than 5 million listeners, per Nielsen Compass.
Film and TV are also homing in on the faith-based market. Producers Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin, heavy hitters in both of those arenas, joined forces with Netflix for Ruth + Boaz. The just-released film features the original song “Faithful,” penned specifically for the project by Grammy-winning artist/producer Babyface. It also appears on the film’s five-song companion EP.
As a music supervisor starting out in faith-based television programming, I produced season 2 of the award-winning soundtrack album for the hit series Greenleaf. I’ve seen firsthand how the power of positioning faith-based hip-hop/R+P artists on a major network show (scripted or unscripted) can help break their music and expand their brand.
Related
In response to that and other above-referenced factors, I established the traveling roundtable series Faith + Sync in L.A. this year. I wanted to provide a unique platform to discuss how faith is influencing culture, creative direction, content placement and the future of music in film, TV and digital media. And also to offer the opportunity to connect with influential voices in those mediums who are shaping the conversation about how faith-based/R+P artists are influencing music, sync licensing and culture.
Through changing demographics, streaming power and strong independent success stories, faith-based hip-hop/Rhythm + Praise is debunking assumptions by mainstream media about its audience size, relevance and impact. As this movement gains stronger momentum, I’m committed to joining all those building the bridge to keep pushing this music forward like EMPIRE president Tina Davis. “Inspirational hip-hop/R&B isn’t new,” says Davis. “But there’s a new wave of anointed young talent across the globe raising their hands in their God’s name. And it’s needed!”
Angela M. Jollivette, founder of Moonbaby Media Inc. and Faith + Sync, is an award-winning music supervisor/producer whose credits include the major network series Greenleaf, Sunday’s Best, Black Ink Crew: New York/Chicago/L.A. and Norman Lear’s final TV production, Clean Slate.
Trending on Billboard
A$AP Rocky spoke about working with Denzel Washington and Spike Lee on Highest 2 Lowest and said there’s a reason why he doesn’t drop music that often.
In a new interview with Perfect Magazine, Rocky explained how working with Washington and Lee on Highest 2 Lowest was a “dream come true.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
“Their dynamic alone is just historical,” Rocky said. “So I’m honored to be an honorary member of their legacy.”
Rocky also explained how he helped Lee develop his Yung Felon character, adding that at first Rocky felt, “There were a few things the character needed to become more real.”
“[Spike Lee] let me develop my character full-throttle,” Rocky said. “They put me in the right environment that was familiar with a little nostalgia, and it allowed me to take the character to different places, and borrow stories from the people I was around growing up, and their circumstances. I appreciate that he [Lee] was receptive to all my changes for my personal character.”
Rocky also spoke briefly about Don’t Be Dumb and his music career as a whole, saying he’s not so eager to drop new music because he wants to make sure it all feels right for his legacy.
“It’s about who did it the best,” Rocky said. “Everything I do is based off building legacy. That’s why I’m not so eager to just drop, drop, drop. 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.”
The comments come as Rocky continues to tease his fourth studio album Don’t Be Dumb. In an interview with GQ back in February, he said it’s been so long, fans are likely tired of hearing about the album.
“I’m in the mixing and mastering realm of it,” he told the outlet. “But I think quite frankly, people are tired of hearing about updates about the album. They’re just ready to get this sh–, you know what I’m saying? I don’t think anybody wants to hear where I’m at with it, how far is it along and all that. They just want to hear some sh– just to see where I’m at, and I promise I got some new sh– in store. I’m challenging myself. It’s like anything, I approach it with a different tactic, degree, or finesse.”
