Month: January 2025

iHeartMedia and NFL Extend Podcast Partnership, Launch New Show

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iHeartMedia, the world’s leading podcast publisher, and the National Football League have renewed their exclusive partnership, originally established in 2021. Under the extended deal, the NFL Podcast Network will continue to host fan-favorite shows while introducing new original podcasts and NFL Club content each year. The collaboration also aims to expand the network’s reach by incorporating additional existing podcasts.

“The NFL Podcast Network continues to grow and capture new audiences, and we’re thrilled to strengthen the successful partnership between iHeart and the NFL with new shows and the addition of more team podcasts,” said Will Pearson, president of iHeartPodcasts. “Our new extended deal is guaranteed to bring fans closer to the game, players and teams they love, and keep listeners up to date on the insider information they want to hear.”

“We are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with iHeartMedia,” said Brent Lawton, NFL vice president of business development and strategic investments. “Since its launch in 2021, the NFL Podcast Network has delivered NFL fans best-in-class storytelling and podcast content, and we look forward to developing new podcasts and more content with iHeart.”

The first new show for 2025, Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel, pairs iHeart’s award-winning personality, Bobby Bones, with former Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Cassel. Based in Nashville, the duo will dive into football, music, current events, and personal stories. Upcoming guests include Tim McGraw, Jared Allen, Parker McCollum, and Boomer Esiason.

With a combined 17,500 passing yards and a Dancing With The Stars Mirrorball trophy, Bones and Cassel bring unique perspectives to the podcasting world. The debut episode, available today, features Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.

The NFL Podcast Network includes hits like “NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal” and “Move the Sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks.” IHeartPodcasts distribute episodes and available on the iHeartRadio app and all major platforms.

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Mac Miller’s ‘Balloonerism’ to Feat. SZA

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We are a week away from the release of Mac Miller’s posthumous album, Ballonerism. With a Jan. 17 release date, Miller’s estate has released the tracklist.

In addition to the tracklist, the single “5 Dollar Pony Rides” will arrive on Jan. 9. The album will be 14 tracks long and feature SZA and Delusional Thomas.

You can see the full tracklist below.

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Queen Tahj Brings Black Masking Culture to Super Bowl LIX Through Stunning Art

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Queen Tahj Brings Black Masking Culture to Super Bowl LIX Through Stunning Art

The NFL has announced that renowned New Orleans artist Tahj “Queen Tahj” Williams has made history as the first-ever artist to handcraft both the Super Bowl logo and theme art for Super Bowl LIX. Queen Tahj’s designs bring the vibrant culture of New Orleans to life, blending her Black Masking heritage with the electric energy of the Super Bowl.

Queen Tahj, a member of the Golden Eagles Tribe, is celebrated for her intricate, hand-sewn beadwork—a hallmark of Black Masking culture. Rooted in the rich connections between African and Native American traditions, Black Masking originated as a backstreet celebration during Mardi Gras when African Americans were excluded from mainstream festivities. Queen Tahj’s artistry preserves this tradition while infusing it with fresh, modern creativity.

“This partnership is a dream come true and an opportunity to share the beauty of Black Masking culture with the world,” said Queen Tahj. “Being the only girl and captain of my middle school football team, football has played a tremendous role in my life by teaching me to me to focus on my dreams without worrying about what society thinks is for girls or boys. It’s the same spirit of determination that shapes my work today. Just as the NFL connects communities around the world through football, I hope my work brings people together to celebrate the history of New Orleans and inspires future generations to keep our traditions alive.”

Her Super Bowl theme art features bold pinks, deep reds, chartreuses, and lush greens, symbolizing the vibrancy of New Orleans. This hand-sewn beadwork will be showcased on digital game tickets, the official program cover, and the exterior of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans during the week-long celebrations, allowing locals and visitors alike to experience the city’s culture on a grand stage.

“We knew from the start that we wanted this year’s theme art to capture the essence of New Orleans,” said Marissa Solis, NFL senior vice president of global brand and consumer marketing. “Queen Tahj’s deep connection to her community and extraordinary talent made her the perfect artist for this project. Her work authentically honors the cultural roots of New Orleans while celebrating the city’s vibrant spirit, and we’re excited to spotlight it on the Super Bowl stage and honor the communities that make New Orleans so special.”

The NFL’s partnership with Queen Tahj highlights its commitment to celebrating local heritage and giving the New Orleans community a place in the global spotlight. Super Bowl LIX will take place on Feb. 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome, with Queen Tahj’s groundbreaking artwork central to the historic event.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lions’ Gibbs, Bucs’ Diaby, Bears’ Blackwell Earn NFC Player of the Week Honors for Week 18

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby, and Chicago Bears defensive back Josh Blackwell were named the NFC Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for their standout performances in Week 18 (January 4-5).

Jahmyr Gibbs (Offense)
Gibbs powered the Lions to a 31-9 win over Minnesota on Sunday Night Football with 170 scrimmage yards (139 rushing, 31 receiving) and four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving). His efforts secured Detroit the NFC North title and the conference’s number one seed. Gibbs is the first Lions running back since Jamaal Williams in 2022 to earn this honor and joins a prestigious group of Alabama alumni to win Offensive Player of the Week.

Yaya Diaby (Defense)
Diaby led the Buccaneers’ defense with five tackles, including four for loss and a sack, in their 27-19 victory over New Orleans. His dominant performance ensured Tampa Bay’s fourth straight NFC South title. Diaby is the latest in a line of impactful Louisville linebackers to earn the award, joining names like Elvis Dumervil and Preston Brown.

Josh Blackwell (Special Teams)
Blackwell electrified in Chicago’s 24-22 victory at Green Bay, scoring a 94-yard punt-return touchdown—the NFC’s longest punt return this season. It was the NFL’s only punt-return touchdown in Week 18. Blackwell is the first Duke defensive back to earn this honor and joins a select group of Bears players recognized for special teams excellence.

Their contributions underscored a thrilling end to the NFC’s regular season.

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Kendrick Lamar Dominates YouTube Charts with Tracks from ‘GNX’

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Kendrick Lamar’s sixth studio album, GNX, is making waves on the charts, with four tracks landing on the US Top Songs list. Leading the charge is “tv off” featuring Lefty GunPlay at #5, while “squabble up” follows at #13. The SZA collaboration “luther” holds strong at #29, and “wacced out murals” rounds out the entries at #68.

Adding to his success, Lamar’s fiery diss track “Not Like Us,” stemming from his lyrical battle with Drake, secures the #6 spot. His ability to blend sharp lyricism with compelling narratives continues to resonate with listeners.

Last week, twelve tracks from Lana, the deluxe edition of SZA’s SOS album, have surged onto Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, with “30 for 30,” her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, debuting at No. 1. The song amassed 17.5 million official U.S. streams, an airplay audience of 385,000, and 2,000 digital song downloads during the tracking week of December 20–26, according to Luminate.

This marks SZA’s seventh chart-topping hit on the Hot R&B Songs chart, breaking a tie with Rihanna for the most No. 1s by a woman since the chart’s inception in October 2012. The record-setting achievement underscores SZA’s continued dominance in the R&B genre and her ability to captivate audiences with her poignant storytelling and emotive delivery.

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Bad Bunny Talks Puerto Rico’s Enduring Identity and His Album’s Purpose in Exclusive Apple Music Interview

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In an in-depth interview with Apple Music, Bad Bunny shares his pride in Puerto Rico’s resilience and enduring cultural identity.

Reflecting on the island’s 130 years of U.S. association, he highlights how Puerto Ricans have preserved their unique way of life, spirit, and values through generations. “What I can say is that I really feel proud of my people, about my country, about my culture, and about how they be resistant, people that did it before, people who inspire the new fighting and caring, preserving who we are,” he says.

Bad Bunny also opens up about the mission behind his latest album, stating that his primary goal is to bring joy and happiness to his listeners, regardless of the world’s challenges. “I feel like nothing bad happens in the world and in my life when I’m creating music,” he explains. He hopes his work can uplift people, helping them feel better even after a difficult day.

The album’s release aims to bridge generations, encouraging families to connect through music. He envisions a shared experience where elders introduce younger generations to past musical influences, sparking conversations that bring them closer together. For Bad Bunny, this connection is a vital part of his creative purpose.

On Sunday, Bad Bunny delivered new music to his army of fans. Over the weekend, the Latin superstar delivers his sixth album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos (“I Should Have Taken More Photos”). The new album features Dei V, Omar Courtz, Rainao, Chuwi, and Pleneros de la Cresta.

Speaking with The New York Times, Bad Bunny revealed the album is his most “Puerto Rican” yet. “Everyone one of them is Puerto Rican and there for a reason,” he said. “When I listened to them I felt like I was there in Santurce, hanging out.”

You can hear the full album below.

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Boosie Badazz and Moneybagg Yo Want to Link with Gelo for “Tweaker” Remix

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The rappers are lining up to work alongside LiAngelo Ball, also known as Gelo. Two of those include Boosie Badazz and MoneyBagg Yo.

Hitting X, Boosie swiftly said: “Send da verse @LiAngeloBall !! !!”

Moneybagg Yo is also looking to work. “@LiAngeloBall send me da open verse ima tweak”

You can see the two messages below.

With a banger going viral in “Tweaker,” LiAngelo Ball, professionally known as Gelo, is headed to the Rolling Loud stage.

Gelo is set for Rolling Loud California, with headliners in Peso Pluma, AA$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium. Passes to the California show go on sale this Friday here.

Gelo’s banger is already taking over locker rooms. The Detroit Lions have plenty of reasons to turn up this week following their impressive win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in which they secured a first-round bye in the playoffs…and it appears that their post-game locker room celebration came with its own soundtrack from a somewhat unexpected “artist.”

Video footage of the Lions post-game celebration shows team members, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Alex Anzalone, rapping along to LiAngelo Ball’s new rap song, “Tweaker,” which has spiked in popularity over the past week. The video, which can be found on Instagram, shows players singing along to some of the song’s already iconic lines, including “I might swerve bend that corner Woah,” and showing off their dance moves.

The song, released last week, currently holds the top spot for trending music videos on YouTube, racking up an impressive almost 3 million views in just days. It can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2MdybKPqfE.

Ball’s basketball career ended after suffering an injury while playing in the CIBACOPA Mexican basketball league in 2024. The Detroit Lions’ 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings brings their season record to an impressive 15-2. The Sunday win means that the team clinched the NFC North division title and secured the conference’s No. 1 seed, giving them a first-round bye before they enter the playoffs in a home game on either January 18 or 19th.

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Trey Songz Attempts To Have $11M Default Judgement Dismissed In Battery Lawsuit

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Trey Songz is pushing back against a hefty $11 million default judgment stemming from a 2023 battery lawsuit. The judgment was issued after the singer allegedly failed to respond to the claims brought against him by a Las Vegas police officer, Tyrelle Dunn.

The lawsuit, filed in connection with an incident in November 2021, alleges that Dunn’s wife was “escorted” to Songz’s hotel room at The Cosmopolitan, where she was “assaulted, attempted to leave, and had her phone confiscated.” Dunn claimed he heard his wife’s cries for help and, when attempting to intervene, was physically attacked by the singer. He further stated that the injuries he sustained caused him to miss a month of work.

Despite these allegations, Songz did not respond to the lawsuit, leading to a default judgment of $11,277,961.37 on October 10, 2024. However, according to newly filed legal documents obtained by InTouch Weekly, Trey’s legal team is arguing the judgment should be vacated on the grounds that the lawsuit was never properly served.

The filing states that Songz was unaware of the case until late November 2024, when fans informed him via Instagram messages after news of the default judgment surfaced.

“Good cause exists to set aside the default judgment because [Dunn] did not properly effectuate service of process of the summons and complaint on [Trey] pursuant to Nevada or California law,” the legal motion argues. “[Trey] did not know about this lawsuit until November 27, 2024, when he received Instagram messages from fans extending their support after news broke about Dunn’s default judgment.”

“[Trey] promptly engaged civil defense counsel over the Thanksgiving holiday and filed this Motion to set aside the default judgment the next week. [Trey] deserves to have his day in court to defend himself, rather than being subjected to a massive default judgment which was improperly obtained… The enforcement of this default judgment will be devastating to [Trey] and will ruin his life.”

The filing also references a completed investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which found no wrongdoing on Songz’s part and cleared him of any criminal charges. The lawsuit further claims that Dunn served the summons to guards at Songz’s gated community rather than to the singer directly, rendering the service invalid under Nevada law.

In 2022, Las Vegas police issued a statement about their findings, saying, “The LVMPD has concluded the investigation into the sexual assault allegations against [Songz] and determined that no criminal charges will be filed. If any new evidence comes to light, the case will be reopened for further investigation.”

Trey’s legal team previously expressed relief at the investigation’s conclusion, stating, “We are pleased that Trey Songz has been cleared of wrongdoing… The thorough investigation included findings of inconsistency in witness testimony and insufficient evidence. We are pleased that Trey can now return to what he does best, entertaining.”

As of now, a judge has not yet ruled on whether the default judgment will be overturned.

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Drake Delivers a Message on IG: ‘I Thought This Through’

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Drake gave his latest peak into the studio. Donning a silk shirt and a bucket hat, Drake gave one message with three money bag emoji: “I thought this through.”

Drake getting to the music early in 2025? Possibly. Three records have leaked online from The Boy, one of which features PARTYNEXTDOOR.

In addition, Drake has a new chain around his neck as he heads out on the Anita Max Tour. Visiting Jason of Beverly Hills, The Boy got a multicolored chain and pendant. You can check it out below.

Drake is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to Australia, promising a truly unforgettable experience. During a recent live stream with streamer Adin Ross, the Canadian rapper expressed his excitement for the upcoming Anita Max Win Tour and hinted at a “very, very special show” for his Australian fans.

“Australia is one of the most incredible places on planet Earth,” Drake said. “I’m so excited to be forward after eight years. I have a very, very special show for you.”

The tour, which kicks off on February 4th in Perth, will see Drake perform in major cities across Australia and New Zealand. Fans can expect a high-energy show filled with Drake’s biggest hits and new music.

In addition to the tour announcement, Drake surprised fans during the livestream by giving away lavish gifts, including cars and cash. He also shared fond memories of his previous visits to Australia, recalling a particular moment at Bondi Beach.

With his unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop, Drake is one of the biggest music stars in the world. His Australian tour will surely be a major event, and fans eagerly await his return.

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Hollywood Premieres Canceled as LA County Battles Wildfires

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With Los Angeles County combatting three different wildfires, Hollywood is entering a pause. According to Variety, Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios have canceled premiere events.

The premieres of Unstoppable, starring Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez, and Wolf Man were canceled. Paramount and Max also canceled Better Man and The Pitt.

“Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are canceling tomorrow’s premiere of ‘Better Man,’” a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies.”

HBO and Max offered, “Out of an abundance of caution due to the ongoing Palisades Fire and continued wind advisories through tomorrow, we are canceling Wednesday’s premiere event for ‘The Pitt.’ The safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, and community are our top priority. We are grateful for the first responders bravely working to protect our community, and our thoughts are with those affected. Stay safe!”

Los Angeles County is engulfed in wildfires, with the largest blaze roaring through the Pacific Palisades. The result is tens of thousands of people under evacuation orders.

According to CNN, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expects the wildfire conditions to “worsen” throughout Wednesday (Jan. 8) morning. Gov. Gavin Newsome has declared a state of emergency in the area.

Scenes across the county highlight abandoned cars in between Malibu and Santa Monica, which were eventually bulldozed so emergency personnel could make it to combat the fire.

The Palisades fire is burning through areas comparable to five football fields a minute and has already scorched 2,9000 acres. The area is now under an emergency, comparing the winds to a “tornado.”

Fires are also present in the Hurst area, north of the San Fernando Valley, and another in Altadena, dubbed the Eaton fire, eviscerating 1,000 acres in hours.

Adding to the complication, over 200,000 homes and buildings do not have power.

Off-duty firefighters are being asked to report their availability to fight the fire. The call for assistance has not been conducted in this manner in two decades. Margaret Stewart, a spokesperson for the department, said, “I’ve got 19 years on and this is the first one that I’ve been involved in. It’s not something that we have to do very often.”

The origin of the fires was aided by a dry “rainy season,” designed explicitly as December through March. There has only been .01 of an inch of rain in LA since Dec. 1. The dry land and exceptionally high winds have assisted in fueling the fire.

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